Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP) Injection

Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP) Injections or also known as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is a promising new treatment promoting natural healing.

Components of our blood
(picture courtesy of Mr.Google)

It has been used in numerous cases, mostly by athletes, to enable them to shorten their recovery time without ill effects and get back to their game.

ACP have been used for the treatment of difficult chronic Tendonitis around the hand and foot, muscle healing, knee Osteoarthritis and ligament tears, to name a few. These types of tissue have limited blood supply so they heal slowly. So by using ACP, it speeds up the recovery. This treatment concept is also used in the dental and also animal veterinary sector.

(picture courtesy of Mr.Google)

This treatment approach gives patients opportunities to heal without surgery and the right treatment for those who would want to avoid the knife.

What is ACP ?
ACP is the concentrated platelet rich plasma solution formulated by taking the patient's own blood and spinning it in a centrifuge, thus separating the blood components. Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelet rich plasma. The plasma is reinjected into the injured part. The plasma contains concentrated platelets that release certain growth factors that initiates and accelerates healing. Growth factors play a central role to stimulate local tissues to heal an injured area.

The components of our blood can be seen after the spinning process in the centrifugal machine.
(picture courtesy of Mr.Google)

The usage of the patients own blood makes this way of treatment safe as it eliminates any chance of rejection response and minimizes the probability of an infection.

A special syringe is used for this treatment. Its unique double syringe design allows for convenient and safe handling, as the whole preparation process takes place in a closed system.

The ACP Injection should be given under sterile condition, so an OT (Operating theater) would be best. The whole procedure takes up to about 45 minutes to withdraw, process, and reinject the blood back to the patient.

The process:
A small amount (@10ML) of blood is withdrawn from the patient himself.

The blood is then spinned in a centrifugal machine for 5 minutes. This separates the red and the white blood cells leaving a solution containing the concentrated plasma.

The special centrifugal machine used for ACP
(picture courtesy of Mr.Google)

The double syringe design
(picture courtesy of Mr.Google)

This separated plasma solution is then injected into the injured part of the patient.

The patient may be asked to come for a follow up or checkup a few days after the injection, to check the injured areas healing.

Advantages:
* Promotes natural healing
* It's safe and no ill effects
* Avoids operation and further complications of an operation
* Does not involve putting foreign chemicals in the body
* It offers a solution to accelerate the healing process and shorten healing time

The number of times one has to take this injection may vary upon the seriousness or severeness of ones injury. The doctor is best consulted for these inquiries.

Scientific proof has unequivocally demonstrated drastically improved bone and soft tissue healing using ACP injection therapy.

(Video from Mr.Google)

This treatment therapy is more common in Europe. In Malaysia, this treatment trend is something new. Its being used to facilitate the healing process in the orthopedic sector and some others. As for hospital that can't afford to buy the centrifugal machine, they have private health care companies provide the facility.

Consult your doctor. If you opt for ACP treatment, these two painful methods may be avoided.
(picture courtesy of Mr.Google)

Information and pictures I used, to refer in my post are not entirely mine. I googled Google for more details and shared some of them here. I only have the experience of going through this treatment, which I have already written about in my earlier post. Check it out HERE.


References:
Mr.Google; Orthohealing.com; Prpinjection.blogspot.com; Rodneywongmd.com; Hubpages.com and others recommended by Mr.Google. My credits to them all.