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The Effects of Platelets and Their Concentration on ACL Healing

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Abstract

Platelets are a critical cell component of wound healing. They are the early activators of the wound healing cascade of processes that lead to connective tissue healing. As such, they are of great interest in regenerative medicine, particularly for healing of musculoskeletal tissues. Platelets can be isolated from the peripheral blood using simple centrifugation techniques and, once isolated, can be activated for use in stimulating wound healing. Recent studies have documented the effectiveness of using platelets to stimulate healing for various injuries, including the ACL, if the appropriate concentrations and carrier are used. When using platelet-rich plasma (PRP), it is important to consider platelet concentrations. The current literature commends the use of low PRP concentrations, in the range of one- to two-fold the concentration of the peripheral blood, to optimize PRP effects and avoid adverse reactions. For use of PRP inside the joint, the use of a carrier to stabilize the PRP and prevent its premature dissolution is of key importance. Finally, as we will read in the next chapter, the inclusion of red blood cells and white blood cells in conjunction with the platelets may be of great benefit for challenging wound environments.

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Acknowledgement

Research reported in this chapter was supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers RO1-AR054099 and RO1-AR056834. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Patrick Vavken MD, MSc

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  1. Patrick Vavken MD, MSc
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Correspondence to Patrick Vavken MD, MSc .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Longwood Avenue 300, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Martha M. Murray

  2. Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Longwood Avenue 300, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Patrick Vavken

  3. Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Hoppin Street 1, Providence, 02903, Rhode Island, USA

    Braden Fleming

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Vavken, P. (2013). The Effects of Platelets and Their Concentration on ACL Healing. In: Murray, M., Vavken, P., Fleming, B. (eds) The ACL Handbook. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0760-7_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0760-7_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-0759-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-0760-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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