Autologous plasma therapy may sound like a mouthful of words, but in simple terms, it is a type of treatment that uses the platelets from your own blood to heal your body’s injuries.
Our blood consists of four main components – plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma is a clear fluid that carries the red and white blood cells, platelets, nutrients, and other substances that the body needs. Platelets are a type of cell that helps with blood clotting, and also promotes tissue healing and regeneration.
Platelets are the main driving force behind the efficacy of autologous plasma therapy. This nifty cell has multiple functions and here is a brief overview of how it works to optimise healing:
Autologous plasma therapy is mostly used in orthopaedics and sports medicine to improve and hasten healing in various types of muscle, ligament or tendon injuries.
It is an up-and-coming treatment that is effective on its own, and can also be used in conjunction with conventional treatment methods such as physiotherapy, painkillers or surgery to improve recovery.
Some examples of injuries that this therapy is commonly used to treat include:
Tendon injuries often heal slower than other injuries, hence plasma injections may serve to shorten recovery time.
Ligament injuries have been shown to respond well to plasma injections, which hasten healing and allow for more rapid recovery.
Muscle injuries can be effectively treated with plasma injections in the early stages, with more rapid healing and restoration of strength
Prior to selecting this therapy, your surgeon will explore various treatment options with you and assess your suitability for plasma therapy. This is a simple, safe and straightforward procedure that can be done in the clinic and outpatient setting.
Since this procedure uses your own plasma in the injections, the first step would involve having your blood drawn. The blood will then be separated and centrifuged, to obtain a mixture suspended in plasma which contains a very high concentration of platelets. This process will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
Subsequently, the extracted plasma is administered via injections directly into the damaged tendons, ligaments or muscles. This may be done with some local anaesthesia to numb the area of skin surrounding the injection site. Occasionally, your doctor may place an ultrasound probe over the intended site of treatment, which will aid in visualising structures that are more deeply located.
After the injection, the injury will still take some time to heal, and your doctor may advise you to avoid high-impact exercises for a short period of time. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation may be recommended as well, especially if you wish to return to high-level sports.
Prior to selecting this therapy, your surgeon will explore various treatment options with you and assess your suitability for plasma therapy. This is a simple, safe and straightforward procedure that can be done in the clinic and outpatient setting.
Since this procedure uses your own plasma in the injections, the first step would involve having your blood drawn. The blood will then be separated and centrifuged, to obtain a mixture suspended in plasma which contains a very high concentration of platelets. This process will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
Subsequently, the extracted plasma is administered via injections directly into the damaged tendons, ligaments or muscles. This may be done with some local anaesthesia to numb the area of skin surrounding the injection site. Occasionally, your doctor may place an ultrasound probe over the intended site of treatment, which will aid in visualising structures that are more deeply located.
The injury will still take some time to heal, and your doctor may advise you to avoid high-impact exercises for a short period of time. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation may be recommended as well, especially if you wish to return to high-level sports.
This novel form of regenerative therapy comes with a host of benefits:
As with any procedure, there are some minor risks:
This is minor and typically does not affect daily activities after the injection
The infection risk is very low and is similar to other injections
This novel form of regenerative therapy comes with a host of benefits:
As with any procedure, there are some minor risks:
If you’re considering undergoing autologous plasma therapy for your tendon, ligament or muscle injuries, there are some alternatives you may wish to consider.
Conservative measures for most injuries include avoiding strain or overuse of the injured area, wearing a brace or using kinesiology tape. Other simple yet effective measures include elevating the affected area to reduce swelling, using ice or heat packs, and taking painkillers when required.
If the pain persists or affects your function significantly, surgery is a viable option as well. The type of surgery will depend on the severity of your injury and its location. Autologous plasma therapy can be used together with surgery to enhance post-operative healing and recovery.
If you’re considering undergoing autologous plasma therapy for your tendon, ligament or muscle injuries, there are some alternatives you may wish to consider.
Conservative measures for most injuries include avoiding strain or overuse of the injured area, wearing a brace or using kinesiology tape. Other simple yet effective measures include elevating the affected area to reduce swelling, using ice or heat packs, and taking painkillers when required.
If the pain persists or affects your function significantly, surgery is a viable option as well. The type of surgery will depend on the severity of your injury and its location. Autologous plasma therapy can be used together with surgery to enhance post-operative healing and recovery.
Autologous plasma therapy is a safe and convenient outpatient procedure that improves healing and provides a shorter recovery time. It is suitable for many patients with early tendon, ligament or muscle injuries.
Do consult your doctor to obtain a diagnosis and to discuss your treatment options.
Autologous plasma therapy is a safe and convenient outpatient procedure that improves healing and provides a shorter recovery time. It is suitable for many patients with early tendon, ligament or muscle injuries.
Do consult your doctor to obtain a diagnosis and to discuss your treatment options.
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