The Science

Note: Accelerate® Concentrating System and Accelerate PRP Sport® have not been evaluated by the FDA for specific therapeutic indications.

 

PRP Syringe and Basketball Player

PRP is derived from a patient’s own blood, which has been processed to concentrate the platelets. These concentrated platelets contain powerful growth factors that can jumpstart the healing of injured tendons and ligaments by stimulating tissue repair and regeneration.1 Some important growth factors that are present in PRP are listed below.1,2,3

Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
  • Stimulates angiogenesis
  • Initiates connective tissue healing through the promotion of collagen and protein synthesis

Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-Beta)

  • Stimulates the proliferation of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells
  • Regulates endothelial, fibroblastic and osteoblastic mitogenesis
  • Regulates collagen synthesis and collagenase secretion

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF)

  • Increases angiogenesis and vessel permeability
  • Stimulates mitogenesis for endothelial cells

Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF)

  • Promotes growth and differentiation of chondrocytes and osteoblasts
  • Stimulates mitogenesis of mesenchymal cells, chondrocytes and osteoblasts

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)

  • Stimulates endothelial chemotaxis/angiogenesis
  • Regulates collagenase secretion
  • Stimulates epithelial/mesenchymal mitogenesis

PRP vs. Corticosteroid Injection

Peerbooms and team compared the effectiveness of PRP against corticosteroid injections in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial with a one-year follow-up that included 100 patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis. The results showed that patients treated with PRP had better average VAS and DASH scores versus those treated with corticosteroids at the end of one year. The study concluded that PRP treatment of chronic lateral epicondylitis reduces pain and significantly increases function, exceeding the effect of corticosteroid injections.4

 

References

1. Alsousou J, et al. The biology of platelet-rich plasma and its application in trauma and orthopaedic surgery: a review of the literature. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2009 Aug;91(8):987-96.

2. Crane D, Everts P. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) matrix grafts. Practical Pain Management. 2008 Jan/Feb;12-26.

3. Everts P. Autologous Platelet-Leukocyte Enriched Gel Basics and Efficacy. Netherlands: D&L Graphics; 2007. 40-43.

4. Peerbooms JC, et al. Effect of an autologous platelet concentrate in lateral epicondylitis in a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med. 2010 Feb;38:255-62.

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