tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post9120417331735986492..comments2023-09-02T23:55:45.583+10:00Comments on Doctor Skeptic: PRP: Platelet Rich Plasma, or just Profit Rich Placebo?Dr Skeptichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-25370557264328687282017-11-07T12:47:45.239+11:002017-11-07T12:47:45.239+11:00It's your money but I would not have it done. ...It's your money but I would not have it done. To be frank, I don't know what SI joint dysfunction is. I see it 'diagnosed' but I don't see evidence for it existing (identifiable pathology correlating with symptoms). Even if it existed, the evidence for PRP is so poor in high quality trials in many parts of the body, the probability of it working in the SI joint is very low.Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-44703116999938386652017-11-07T08:58:01.325+11:002017-11-07T08:58:01.325+11:00Any thoughts on PRP for SI joint dysfunction? I...Any thoughts on PRP for SI joint dysfunction? I've had problems for 10 years and getting ready to try it after looking at the few studies and having good pain relief from a steroid shot. Any thoughts from Dr. Skeptic?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15675683336445410190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-56323712473032573762017-10-07T11:58:04.037+11:002017-10-07T11:58:04.037+11:00Thanks. A few points of agreement and disagreement...Thanks. A few points of agreement and disagreement:<br />I agree that there are problems with the quality of the research that may be masking a true effect, and that better quality research should be relied upon - we should not dismiss PRP based on poor studies.<br />I do not think that theoretical or lab-based 'treasures', effectiveness or 'wonderful'ness give us the slightest clue as to whether the product is clinically effective - take stem cells, BMP, fetal brain cell transplants etc. However promising, it has to pass the ultimate test vs placebo in a properly conducted experiment.<br />I also think that thinking about 'why' it is popular is not helpful. I know why it is popular, because it sounds good, it is well advertised and people pay for it. If it were not funded by consumers and kept people in a job, it would not be popular. Homeopathy is popular.<br />To me, it is not 'obviously working' at all. It is obvious that people perceive it to be working, but that is another story to which I refer you to my book: Surgery, the Ultimate Placebo.Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-4285588919245728962017-10-05T01:55:59.941+11:002017-10-05T01:55:59.941+11:00I believe the problem is not whether the PRP is wo...I believe the problem is not whether the PRP is working or not, it is the clinicians' misunderstanding of the optimising of the procedure and conducting viable, well-thought-out experiments. Additionally, the releasate of the PRP is what contains the growth factors, cytokines and other "treasures" sought after. When adding the releasate of platelets to any human or murine tissue or cell culture, the cells proliferate like crazy. I don't believe it is the product, rather the clinicians' mediocre experiments that yield poor results of a proven regenerative "cocktail" as you like to put it. <br />I genuinely believe that instead of looking skeptically at a wonderful product, you should look at why it is still popular, why it works in 53% of the clinical studies and does nothing in 47% of the clinical trial studies. And most of all why an obviously working product fails when brought into clinician's hands. <br /><br />Regards.<br /><br />Dr. SAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-31903945192688470552016-12-22T16:03:43.725+11:002016-12-22T16:03:43.725+11:00Yes Karl, Yes. You may never read this I know........Yes Karl, Yes. You may never read this I know...... But if someone is in dire straits and you see my post, I'm telling you that you may find relief for the headaches and some of the laxity that may be causing your pain. Unfortunately the bulging discs just have to heal on their own. If you have a lot of money try stem cells for the discs. Doesn't hurt to try. Look up Regenexx but only if you can afford it. I could not. But your discs seem to heal eventually and the injection regenerative therapies don't impair their healing (except cortisone). The hard part is finding the right guy to do it and do it to the right spots. And then you have to wait for the inflammation response to do its thing which is to basically stabilize the ligaments which are now maybe too lax. Your wait will be long... 9 months at the least. A quick fix, it ain't and in the mean time your neck will be swollen as heck. Now your muscles are probably tense and things feel stiff but that's just your compensation pattern. Like I said, I don't know if you'll ever read this but, try prolotherapy first before PRP and if you are getting modest benefits but want to step it up do the PRP+autologous fat.That combo works better. I haven't had to do the PRP, as the prolo was effective enough to stabilize my neck so that I could start building strength and regaining my life. A reduction in headaches was invaluable. I had many neck issues and an accident falling off a bridge early in my life that messed up my neck I'm sure, a terrible car accident in my 20s that gave me life long on and off migraines and burning pain down one shoulder blade (that was there before though)...and a very severe side whiplash 6 years ago that obliterated my strength. I have nothing to gain by posting this except that I want to help someone who may feel like they're up s* creek. I can say that years of PT did nothing. Chiropractor, 'meh'. Exercise hurt me worse until after the prolotherapy. Once my lax spots were more stable I could build strength. I'll never be as strong as I was but I am functional now and not in pain every day. I can do things unthinkable five years ago. It is what it is. Why is there scanty evidence? Because who's going to pay for the study when there's no drug to sell you outside of sugar+lidocaine or your own platelets. *You* are the trial. My whole experience was 'the trial'. I have gone before you. Now you must try see for yourself (and not one time, it's not enough so see a change) and tell others. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-5406402713082552632016-10-25T04:06:50.101+11:002016-10-25T04:06:50.101+11:00Save your money. It does not work. I have had 4 sh...Save your money. It does not work. I have had 4 shots in my back (interspinous ligament) with 0 effect. <br /><br />1 year after the shots, i still have the same pain. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-6109514103881646432016-09-12T12:20:11.121+10:002016-09-12T12:20:11.121+10:00I am indebted to you for your summary of the avail...I am indebted to you for your summary of the available scientific reviews and the lack of scientific evidence supporting PRP for, well, pretty much anything it is being touted as a cure for! <br />I'm in Canada and we suffer the same anti-scientific thoughts as the Americans - if it looks pretty and sounds good then wow it MUST work. People still buy shampoo supposedly with silk extracts, whatever those are, because it will make their hair silky... the gullibility of the masses is depressing. I'm grateful to have found someone who also refuses to be deceived. Thank you.<br />Jasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-83719107006641264482016-07-16T16:35:28.670+10:002016-07-16T16:35:28.670+10:00No. Cells from bone marrow are good at making bone...No. Cells from bone marrow are good at making bone marrow - that is a bone marrow transplant. As far as cells from bone marrow treating arthritis or other degenerative conditions, I don't think they are effective at all. As a colleague once said: it is like sprinkling rose seeds on a highway and expecting a garden to grow.Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-4202987392993706472016-07-15T03:42:14.193+10:002016-07-15T03:42:14.193+10:00Dr Skeptic,
Do you mean stem cells derived from bo...Dr Skeptic,<br />Do you mean stem cells derived from bone marrow do work? And for what conditions? I have chronic neck pain. I have bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and some disc drying. I had one treatment of Prolotherapy three weeks ago, which I know you say is ineffective, so far that has been true for me. In fact my neck feels worse. Several years ago before I knew what was wrong with my neck I went to a chiropractor for about a year (to also try to deal with my migraines). Then I went to five months of physical therapy almost daily with two different physical therapists. Everything I've tried to do has just made my neck and over all condition worse. I don't know what to do any more. I've been to too many doctors to count, both allopathic and natrupathic trying to resolve my many health issues. The neck and migraines being only 2. Could stem cells from my bone marrow help my neck? Do you have any suggestions?breakingfreechristiancounselinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05943554047949443985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-69506264124092497742016-05-26T10:36:52.667+10:002016-05-26T10:36:52.667+10:00Yes, it is getting popular. Does it work? That is ...Yes, it is getting popular. Does it work? That is a different question. I think that the weight of evidence is against it for OA, and for just about anything else for that matter. I am not sure what your problems are, and whether or not they are "due to ACL repairs". The ruptures cause more problems than the repairs.Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-48880757079181400522016-05-19T16:55:48.149+10:002016-05-19T16:55:48.149+10:00Hello there,
Is there any updated news or scienti...Hello there,<br /><br />Is there any updated news or scientific study released about the PRP ?? . I got some problems on my knees due to the ACL repairs . My doctor suggested me to PRP injection but he is also warning me PRP is just about %5 percent of your treatment. I am writing from Turkey , PRP is getting popular day by day in many areas. <br /><br />Thanks in advance<br /><br />Best Regardskakaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11625899318572957200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-11625837971356594622016-04-19T17:51:08.653+10:002016-04-19T17:51:08.653+10:00I am a Plantar Fasciitis sufferer and I also have ...I am a Plantar Fasciitis sufferer and I also have a heel spur on both feet. My job requires me to walk 7 hours a day in a busy hospital as an orderly constantly collecting and transporting patients.I was having cortisone Injections every 6 months in my heels which took the pain totally away.A new Dr at the clinic suggested I do the PRP insisting that the pain will be gone permanantly.I thought wow! a miracle cure!..ok I wentn ahead and had about 4 injections of my Plasma in one heel.It was very painful afterwards, worse than before! The Dr didn't give me too much information only that I should rest my foot and to see him in 2 weeks. well it is now four weeks and my pain is still there..just proves that it does not work and when I told the Dr he told me I would have to have 3 lots of injections!!That's $600 out of pocket and what if it doesn't work do I get a guarantee money back? NO! He didn't tell me that I had to have 3 sessions in the beginning! So.. I don't trust it.. I think I will stick to cortisone..its the best pain killer thanks..and its free.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-54905734040646013082016-03-17T11:39:45.322+11:002016-03-17T11:39:45.322+11:00i havent read your blog for a while. I forgot how...i havent read your blog for a while. I forgot how much i enjoy itcuracaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05457521898623967811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-31677914285628364702015-12-16T07:13:15.022+11:002015-12-16T07:13:15.022+11:00Work at what? If you want to know if they make peo...Work at what? If you want to know if they make people better, then unless you count bone marrow transplants, the answer is "no"Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-36328417884980339892015-12-16T07:11:54.797+11:002015-12-16T07:11:54.797+11:00... just a patients in placebo studies believe tha...... just a patients in placebo studies believe that the treatment has "cured" them.Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-84726303464128205592015-11-16T02:10:37.141+11:002015-11-16T02:10:37.141+11:00Do stem cells work?Do stem cells work?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16147287955564625546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-71481332223210160012014-08-02T03:28:53.070+10:002014-08-02T03:28:53.070+10:00Tennis player Rafael Nadal claims PRP (as administ...Tennis player Rafael Nadal claims PRP (as administered by a Dr. Sanchez) "cured" his knee tendonitis.GoldenAgeOfDrugshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346870242932953686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-65145014246044185972014-02-16T15:23:57.874+11:002014-02-16T15:23:57.874+11:00Yes it can. This is one of the many things that PR...Yes it can. This is one of the many things that PRP is used for.<br />Whether it works, though, is a different matter. It is most likely that it will not work any better than placebo for just about anything.Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-45749352440160790482014-02-16T04:52:13.346+11:002014-02-16T04:52:13.346+11:00Can prp be used for skin rejuvenation specifically...Can prp be used for skin rejuvenation specifically for removing dark circles around the eyes?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-52204197874536731192014-01-27T09:52:11.368+11:002014-01-27T09:52:11.368+11:00Conditions fluctuate. When you rest they often get...Conditions fluctuate. When you rest they often get better (like you did after the injection) and when you exercise they often get worse. All I can say is that the probability of the PRP injection doing anything directly is very low.Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-65722691271244293002014-01-27T00:51:29.672+11:002014-01-27T00:51:29.672+11:00i have had adductor tendonitis for the last 15 mon...i have had adductor tendonitis for the last 15 months and tried everything from rest,physical therapy and cortisone injections and got a prp injection 5 weeks ago. i was told to rest for 5 weeks and returned to my doctor for a consultation. i was told my tendon had healed and i could start swimming at this point. the injection seemed to reduce my pain dramatically but once i went jogging in the pool the pain returned but not as bad as before. why is this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-42723264359362853472013-05-04T11:38:13.971+10:002013-05-04T11:38:13.971+10:00Thanks Charles,
PRP is largely ineffective for an...Thanks Charles,<br /><br />PRP is largely ineffective for any condition, compared to placebo. I am not aware of any such trials in the spine. Nor does it make any sense.<br /><br />Back pain is common, the association between pain and severity of degenerative changes is weak, and treatments aimed at reversing age-related changes are fighting nature. Looking for a 'cure' might not be the best way to direct your energies. Learning to deal with the symptoms and being reassured that it is not dangerous might be better.Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-66862571225056841812013-05-04T06:54:19.181+10:002013-05-04T06:54:19.181+10:00I've been digging through articles and posts o...I've been digging through articles and posts on PRP for a few days in hopes of finding something relating to what I'm hearing it recommended for for my wife. Back problems: Specifically lower back with degenerated, bulging, and torn discs. <br /><br />Almost everything I'm finding on it is related to Sport Medecine, but one article mentioned it being used for back/spine issues(or similar) since the 90s, but questioned efficacy for sports medicine use (which seems to be the universal result for PRP as Sports Medicine). Neither it, nor any other I've seen, seems to say it does or doesn't work for the spinal issues. <br /><br />Any thoughts? insights?CharlesPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-63326458149985606552012-09-20T21:00:06.358+10:002012-09-20T21:00:06.358+10:00A treatment has to be pretty bad to not work at al...A treatment has to be pretty bad to not work at all. Comparison with placebo is the real test of a specific therapeutic effect, and in that regard, PRP fails.<br /><br />Things that 'work' like that are commonplace in the medical world. I accept that PRP works. I object to the claim that there is a specific effect, and I object to paying for it.Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-76730485805385005742012-09-19T03:22:17.772+10:002012-09-19T03:22:17.772+10:00PRP works on me :DPRP works on me :DJessica Ovelahttp://www.ovela-clinic.com/platelet-rich-plasma/noreply@blogger.com