In another pioneering venture to bring world-renowned treatment methods to the Sri Lankan healthcare sector, Durdans Hospital recently introduced the revolutionary knee rehabilitation therapy to its extensive portfolio of unique treatments and facilities. Known as Platelet Rich Plasma or (PRP) Therapy the treatment utilizes platelets from the patient’s own blood, concentrated and re-injected to rebuild damaged tissue and cartilage. 

Commenting on the introduction of this new therapy, Durdans Hospital, Director Medical Services, Dr. Wimal Jayantha, stated “The team at Durdans Hospital is pleased to introduce PRP therapy to the people of Sri Lanka. PRP has been known to restore damaged tissue and cartilage. Many people suffer from knee pain and this therapy will be welcomed.”

PRP was initially developed in the 1970s and first used in 1987 in an open heart surgery procedure. During the early stages, PRP Therapy has been used by doctors worldwide to aid bone healing after spinal injury and other soft tissue recovery following surgery. The popularity of the therapy rose after several renowned sports stars such as Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal, Kobe Bryant, Hines Ward and Olympic gold medallist Donovan Bailey were treated for sports injuries with great success. The treatment has also been successfully used on cricketers and other sports persons worldwide.

PRP Therapy has since then been used to treat conditions such as Osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder, hip and spine, rotator cuff tears, chronic plantar fasciitis, ACL injuries, pelvic pain and instability, back and neck injuries, tennis elbow, ankle sprains, tendinitis, ligament sprains and in cosmetic procedures.

The procedure involves using a small sample of the patient’s blood drawn similar to a lab test sample and placed in a centrifuge that spins the blood at high speeds, separating the platelets from the other components. The process produces higher concentrations of platelets which is a pure concentration of the healing component in the blood. The PRP is then injected into and around the point of injury in three stages, jump-starting and significantly strengthening the healing process. Packed with growth and healing factors, platelets initiate repair and attract the critical assistance of stem cells. PRP’s natural healing process intensifies the body’s efforts by delivering a higher concentration of platelets directly into the area in need. The success of the treatment is mainly owed to the fact that the patient’s own blood is used.

The popularity of PRP Therapy globally has also been driven by the drastic reduction in the cost of the therapy, ease of treatment and quick relief and recovery. Now available at Durdans Hospital, the 1^st Joint Commission International accredited hospital in Sri Lanka, PRP Therapy is recommended by global and local Orthopaedic practitioners. At Durdans, a patient making a visit to a general physician with joint or muscular pains will be diagnosed using an X-ray and will be directed to selected Orthopaedic surgeons who will then determine the need for PRP Therapy and administer accordingly. Patients can call the hospital on 011 5 410 000 or 011 2 140 000 to make an appointment for more information.