What is PRP therapy?
PRP therapy is one of the most modern biological treatment methods for treating osteoarthritis, muscle injuries and tendon irritation, such as tennis elbow (epicondylitis), irritation of the Achilles tendon (achillodynia), the patellar tendon (patellar tendonitis) or the rotator cuff in shoulder impingement syndrome.
What is ACP or PRP therapy based on?
The principle of PRP therapy is based on the latest findings on the self-healing processes that injured or inflamed tissue undergoes during healing. This is a complex biological system in which the growth factors from the blood plasma and the thrombocytes (blood platelets) play an important role.
ACP or PRP therapy makes use of precisely these findings by isolating and concentrating the plasma with its anti-inflammatory growth factors and the platelets from the patient's own blood. This endogenous, biologically highly effective concentrate is then injected into the tissue or joint to be treated so that the self-healing of the tissue is stimulated and supported as much as possible.
How does ACP or PRP therapy work?
First, 15 to 20 ml of the patient's own blood is taken. The individual blood components are then separated and the desired components concentrated using a special preparation process. This plasma preparation process takes approx. 10 to 15 minutes. Immediately afterwards, the body's own biological preparation is injected precisely into or around the diseased tissue or joint under sterile conditions, usually under ultrasound guidance.
As a rule, this procedure is repeated 3-4 times at weekly intervals. As the injected product is the body's own and highly anti-inflammatory substances, the procedure has virtually no side effects and is significantly less risky than other injection procedures.
The use of PRP for tendon irritation such as tennis elbow or Achillodynia
Besonders effektiv und in Studien gut belegt ist die Wirkung des PRP bei Überlastungen und Reizungen von Sehnen und Sehnenansätzen. Wir verwenden daher das PRP, ergänzend zur Stoßwellentherapie und Übungsprogrammen, in der Behandlung von Tennisarm und Golferellenbogen (Epikondylitis) und bei besonders ausgeprägten Reizungen der Achillessehne (Achillodynie) , der Patellasehne (Patellaspitzensyndrom) oder der Rotatorenmanschette beim Impingementsyndrom der Schulter.
The effect of PRP on overloading and irritation of tendons and tendon insertions is particularly effective and well documented in studies. We therefore use PRP, in addition to shock wave therapy and exercise programs, in the treatment of tennis elbow and golfer's elbow (epicondylitis) and for particularly pronounced irritation of the Achilles tendon (Achillodynia), the patellar tendon (patellar tendinopathy) or the rotator cuff in shoulder impingement syndrome.
PRP in the treatment of sports injuries, muscle fiber tears or ligament ruptures.
In the field of sports medicine, the treatment of acute muscle injuries or ligament ruptures plays a central role in returning athletes to their previous training level as quickly as possible after an injury. In professional sport, treatment methods such as shock wave therapy and ACP or PRP therapy have become indispensable. For recreational athletes, the same options are now available to support the body's self-healing powers and significantly shorten the recovery time.
ACP or PRP therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis
In addition to physical and physiotherapeutic measures, dietary supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, hyaluronic acid) and acupuncture are initially used to treat osteoarthritis. As the osteoarthritis progresses, hyaluronic acid injections have established themselves as a good treatment method. The injection of a modern high-molecular hyaluronic acid improves the nutrition and lubrication of the cartilage and reduces the irritation of the synovium (synovial membrane).
With PRP, we now have another highly effective and well-tolerated means of relieving pain in osteoarthritis treatment. According to the latest findings from large double-blind studies, the effect of ACP or PRP in the treatment of osteoarthritis appears to be even superior to that of hyaluronan. In addition, the combination of hyaluronic acid and PRP appears to have a synergistic effect in the context of osteoarthritis therapy, in that the PRP activates self-healing and the hyaluronic acid provides the cartilage and synovial tissue with a surplus of nutrients.
