University Orthopaedic Clinic

ACP Therapy (Autologous Conditioned Plasma)

In some overuse reactions in the musculoskeletal system, the possibility of applying ACP (Autologous Conditioned Plasma) to alleviate the symptoms is a therapeutic option. Likewise in the case of incipient osteoarthritis.

Internationally, the treatment of the so-called tennis elbow, epicondylitis humeri radialis as well as the treatment of the golfer's elbow, epicondylitis humeri ulnaris and the treatment of the painful Achilles tendon (achillodynia) have become established.

Less promising, but certainly worth considering as a trial therapy, is the therapy of incipient osteoarthritis, for example in the knee joint or ankle joint, as well as the treatment of painful calcified shoulder (tendopathia calcarea).

The offered therapy is a proliferation-promoting procedure, i.e. it relies on self-healing processes! In overload processes in the area of muscles and joints as well as in the development of arthrosis, the healing effects of injured or inflamed tissue are subject to complex, precisely regulated endogenous mechanisms. Platelets play an important role in this development. At the site of injury, these release growth factors that initiate the reconstruction of the injured tissue and inhibit painful inflammatory conditions.

This is the basis of ACP therapy, whose high concentration of growth factors supports the body's own healing process. The treatment procedure is as follows: blood is taken from the arm vein (approx. 10 ml) three times a week. After that, a separation procedure is carried out in a special centrifuge to obtain the body's own active substances. After the separation procedure has been carried out, the active substances are injected into the affected region (approx. 3 ml).

The advantage for the patient is that the procedure can be carried out on an outpatient basis, requires little time (approx. 30 min per application) and involves active substances that are produced naturally in the body and are therefore well tolerated.

Since this procedure is not yet covered by the statutory health insurance funds, this therapy is offered as a partial IGEL service (self-pay service) in the Orthopedic University Hospital. Taking into account the cost factors (centrifuge, platelet filter, gloves, etc.), the total price for the treatment consisting of 3 injections is approximately 250 €.

Information about the therapy method, the course of the therapy and possible contraindications takes place in the ACP consultation hours on Mondays between 2:00 and 3:30 p.m. in the outpatient clinic of the Orthopedic University Hospital, OÄ Dr. Rudolf. An appointment can be made at short notice.

Prof. Dr. med. C. H. Lohmann
Clinic Director

Dr. med. M. Rudolf
Attending Physician

Publications

Cerza@elAJSM2012
Deans@elJFAS2012
In-house study on the efficacy of ACP in ulnar humeral epicondylitis.

MEDICAL FACULTY

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL MAGDEBURG

ACP Therapy (Autologous Conditioned Plasma)

Publications