Technology in Sport - PRPT
The Technology in Sport series will delve in to many ways in which science and technology are being applied to the various components of Soccer – from balls to the goal line, and beyond. In this part, we take a look at a new medical technique – Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy – and try to understand its potential impact on the sport.
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRPT) is an emerging technology that can be used to accelerate the healing of tendon injuries and osteoarthritis naturally. According to Dr. Allan Mishra, an assistant professor of orthopedics at Stanford University Medical Center “plasma has the potential to revolutionize not just sports medicine but all of orthopedics.”
According to the NY Times, platelet-rich plasma is derived by placing a small amount of the patient’s blood in a filtration system or centrifuge that rotates at high speed, separating red blood cells from the platelets that release proteins and other particles involved in the body’s self-healing process. A teaspoon or two of the remaining substance is then injected into the damaged area. The high concentration of platelets — from 3 to 10 times that of normal blood — often catalyzes the growth of new soft-tissue or bone cells. Because the substance is injected where blood would rarely go otherwise, it can deliver the healing instincts of platelets without triggering the clotting response for which platelets are typically known.
There is little chance for rejection or allergic reaction because the substance is autologous, meaning it comes from the patient’s own body; the injection carries far less chance for infection than an incision and leaves no scar, and it takes only about 20 minutes, with a considerably shorter recovery time than after surgery. According to Dr. Michael Gerhardt, the team physician for Major League Soccer’s Chivas USA and Los Angeles Galaxy, there is an average decrease in recovery time of 25-30 percent.
So how much effect can this technology have on football? A lot. For beginners, a 25-30% reduction in a recovery time can drastically improve a team’s competitiveness. For example, teams have missed key players very often this season because of injuries – Fernando Torres for Liverpool, or Owen Hargreaves for Manchester United. Imagine having both of these players for a few more games – it’s hard to imagine Liverpool not winning a few more games with Torres up front. Having key players play more often can having more of an impact than just one better player on the pitch – morale, shared and individual experience, and tactical execution are all likely to be contribute to an improved team performance.
There are financial implications as well. Fitter players could result in smaller squads – bigger teams generally like to maintain up to four strikers on their rolls; even a reduction of one player up front can save a top flight club nearly $30 over five years, which easily represents almost 5% or more of any club’s wage bills (of course, some exceptions exist). Clearly, in an era when cash flow is king, any such savings without a deterioration in overall quality is welcome. Added to the fact that key players are likely to have more playing time, and less time on the sidelines, and the potential is huge. Better overall quality of leagues around the world, closer games, happier fans, and at the end of the day, a better return on investment for clubs.
Will this technology solve all medical problems – obviously not. In fact, it cannot help with hamstring injuries – one of the most common injuries in professional football. But it does provide a natural and quicker healing of certain major injuries, and that is welcome.
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