Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP)...

Made famous by the treatment of Steeler's wide receiver, Hines Ward, Plasma Injection Therapy is credited with helping him recover from injury in time to play in the 2009 Super Bowl.

ACP is a treatment for acute muscle injuries and tendonitis, hopefully offering a faster way to heal. "The goal is to enhance the healing environment by concentrating the essential components of repair from the patient's own blood, thus limiting side effects and facilitating healing." - NY Daily News

Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP) Technique Animation

Shady Grove Orthopeadics Specialists now offer Plasma Therapy as an option in the treatment of injuries. Our Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP) System is a unique device that allows us to concentrate platelets and growth factors within a plasma layer separate from white and red blood cells. This plasma may then be used at the point of care for a variety of applications. It has been shown that delivering concentrated growth factors to a surgical site may improve the environment for healing.

The process begins by removing a very small amount of blood from the patient in a manner similar to a laboratory blood test. The Double Syringe System is then placed in a centrifuge and spun for 5 minutes, concentrating the platelets and growth factors within the plasma layer, separate from other blood components. When centrifugation is complete, the double syringe is removed. The yellow plasma layer is then transferred into a separate inner syringe. The inner syringe is then removed and a needle or cap is placed on the syringe for use at the point of care.

To read more about this therapy, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Sureons written an evaluation: AAOS News