An innovative orthopedic treatment for tendon, ligament and cartilage injuries called Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, or PRP, is being offered at Spaulding's Wellesley outpatient clinic with great success.

In PRP, doctors draw a vial of the patient's own blood, and then spin it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets. Three to five ccs of the concentrated, healing platelet cells are then injected into the injury site.

Dr. Joanne Borg-Stein of Spaulding Wellesley, reports "Once those healing cells are in there, they start making whatever the connective tissue is, the tendon, or the ligament, and they start secreting more chemicals that tell the body, 'OK, it's time to start making these tendon and ligament structures again."

While some patients may experience pain at the injection site, the functional results have been impressive. Dr. Borg-Stein has treated about 175 patients with the injection procedure in the past year, with self-reported good results.

The research data is still in progress. "I like to be honest with patients and tell them that we are just starting to get data in from animal trials, we really don't have good human data."

PRP treatment is one of several new therapies researchers are exploring to slow the disease progression, because there are few good long-term treatments other than joint replacement surgery. Anti-inflammatory medications may be contra-indicated because of GI complications.

Two members of the Pittsburgh Steelers had platelet rich plasma therapy before the 2009 Super Bowl. Doctors say a single treatment can help professional athletes heal three times faster than normal, returning them to competition sooner.

The cost of PRP at Spaulding Wellesley ranges from $685 to $765. The therapy is not currently covered by health insurance.