Autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) / platelet-rich plasma (PRP) / cellular matrix procedures
This means treatment with components of your own blood (platelets and growth factors) to treat acute injuries of tendons, ligaments or the meniscus, or torn muscle fibres. Chronic conditions such as cartilage damage in osteoarthritis, spinal complaints due to facet joint disease and irritation of the sole of the foot can also be treated.
Other applications are wound healing disorders, for example diabetic ulcers.
As a combination product, we also use a treatment in which these components are applied to a hyaluronic acid matrix. This can make the treatment of joint damage due to osteoarthritis more effective.
In our practice, these procedures have given good results in cartilage regeneration, especially in knee osteoarthritis. Tendon and muscle tears also heal quickly. Here, the treatment is applied precisely by ultrasound-guided injection. These procedures are therefore often used for injured athletes, especially in top-level sport.
Operations and permanent restriction of movement can be avoided in this way.
What is platelet-rich plasma?
It consists of blood platelets and plasma.
Platelets play a key role in the repair mechanisms of soft and hard tissue. They provide essential growth factors involved in the migration, differentiation and proliferation of stem cells. They also stimulate other cells (fibroblasts and endothelial cells) to build new extracellular matrix and new blood vessels.
Blood plasma contains many factors necessary for cell survival, including nutrients, vitamins, hormones, electrolytes, certain growth factors and proteins. Among the plasma proteins are molecules that serve as scaffolding for the formation of new cells and tissue.
Procedure
In an initial consultation and examination, we discuss with you whether a procedure is suitable and which one. These procedures should not be used in certain blood clotting disorders, and to be on the safe side no hyaluronic acid treatment should be given during pregnancy. You will also be informed about alternatives.
If one of the procedures is suitable, a small amount of blood (about 15 ml) is taken from a vein in your arm in the normal way.
The platelet-rich plasma is then separated from the other blood components in a centrifuge, drawn off and prepared according to the procedure. After about 15 to 30 minutes, it is injected into the area to be treated, sometimes under ultrasound guidance. The highest possible protection against contamination is particularly important, so the syringe systems used are closed throughout the whole process.
Depending on the application, two to three treatments about one week apart are needed.
Typical applications
- Ligament injuries, e.g. of the ankle, cruciate ligament
- Fractures
- Muscle fibre and tendon injuries, e.g. Achilles tendon, shoulder tendons
- Meniscus injuries
- Irritation of tendon insertions, e.g. at the elbow
- Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, foot, shoulder and elbow joints
- Rheumatic diseases
- Spinal complaints due to facet joint osteoarthritis, disc damage
- Chronic irritation of the sole of the foot
- Wound healing disorders
Costs
Although extensive and numerous studies of thousands of patients and the consistently good treatment results show the benefit of these therapies, statutory health insurers do not yet cover the costs. Private health insurers have long recognised the advantages of these procedures and usually cover the costs for their policyholders. To make these modern, state-of-the-art treatments available to our patients with statutory insurance as well, we offer them at a reasonable price as a self-pay service.
Call us or send us an e-mail to arrange an appointment at which the right therapy for you, a cost estimate and alternatives can be discussed.