Platelet Rich Plasma – Angel system

Platelet rich plasma is a blood platelet concentrate suspended in a small volume of plasma obtained from patient’s own blood. Blood platelets contain growth factors – specialist proteins, which are released from blood platelets in a controlled process, and initiate a cascade of healing processes. They stimulate other cells to act and multiply and thus activate natural tissue repair processes necessary after trauma or overuse injury. As a result, the recovery time is shorter and the pain – less severe. Platelet rich plasma revitalises joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is an effective preventive treatment which ensures optimum condition of your joints and other locomotor system structures despite physiological ageing. Biocompatible with human body, platelet rich plasma is safe for the patient and does not cause allergy.

The key growth factors, which stimulate tissue regeneration include:

• Transforming growth factor (TGF-B), responsible for fibroblast recruitment to the injury site. It stimulates collagen production and inhibits metalloproteinases, which destroy the extracellular matrix. It also regulates bone cell metabolism.
• Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) involved in the majority of tissue regeneration processes. It sends a chemical signal for macrophages, fibroblasts and neutrophils and activates them. Additionally, it is essential for the new blood vessels to be formed, participates in cell multiplication and promotes the formation of granulation tissue.
• Fibroblast growth factor (FGF), playing the key role in fibroblast, macrophage and vascular endothelial cell recruitment to the injury site, thus simulating new blood vessel formation.
• Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) affects the vascular endothelial cells accelerating new blood vessel formation.

PRP separation devices and systems differ significantly in both separation techniques and the content of the obtained plasma, which yields variable biological and physiological properties of the plasma and affects its efficacy. When considering PRP treatment, it is worth asking questions about how the plasma is separated.

The key is the computer-based cell separator, which precisely separates individual blood fractions. Angel technology ensures achieving platelet concentrate, containing individually tailored growth factors, in a guaranteed and reproducible manner. The unique technology enables adjusting the PRP volume and concentration as well as the red blood cell content depending on therapeutic needs. Angel system additionally enables stem cell harvesting from bone marrow in patients, who do not want liposuction or have not enough adipose tissue to undergo one (e.g. athletes). It should be noted, though, that the stem cell count in bone marrow is significantly lower than in adipose tissue.

Patient eligibility assessment

Patient eligibility assessment for platelet rich plasma treatment involves a consultation with an orthopaedist and is based on patient medical history, clinical examination findings as well as an additional ultrasound scan and x-rays.

Angel platelet rich plasma treatment procedure

The procedure encompasses the following stages:

1. Venous blood sample collection.
2. Placing patient’s blood in disposable Angel cPRP processing set, entering patient parameters and running the separation process.
3. The obtained platelet rich plasma is administered by the orthopaedist as an ultrasound-guided injection to the target site.

Joint, tendon, ligament and/or muscle regeneration takes time and its duration depends on your medical condition and symptoms. The effect of such growth factor treatment can be assessed at 3 months following the last injection.

Post-treatment care and recommendations

Avoid physical activity for seven days.

Platelet rich plasma injections may cause transient pain, oedema and/or exudate (fluid accumulation in tissues). The symptoms usually resolve within a few days.

Indications for PRP treatment

• joint chondromalacia
• Tendon and ligament overuse injury, such as: tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, runner’s knee, Achilles tendon overuse injury, calcaneal spur
• ligament and capsular tears, such as lateral collateral ligament tear, Achilles tendon tear.
• plantar fasciitis,
• joint pain
• prevention, joint protection – especially in professional sportsmen and individuals having a very active lifestyle (runners, triathlon sportsmen)

Contraindications to PRP treatment

• pregnancy and breastfeeding
• cancer
• infections