Hospital Now Using Most Advanced Technology:

Jersey Shore Hospital has recently begun utilizing platelet-rich plasma as a complement to arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery, leading to shorter patient recovery times and a better patient care experience.

Dr. Thomas Connolly and the Orthopedics Department have recently begun utilizing the platelet-rich plasma derived from the patient's blood in order to enhance the wound-healing process of arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery.

Growth factors from platelets are normal biochemical triggers, which are highly concentrated from a relatively small amount of the patient's blood. In simpler terms, a small tube of the patient's own blood is drawn prior to surgery, and spun down for several minutes until it concentrates these chemical factors. These growth factors are added to the surgical repair site during surgery to augment the healing potential.

Prior to the advent of arthroscopic technique, "open surgery" was performed on a patient's shoulder after a tear. This open surgery left the patient with a large, unattractive scar, intense pain, and a fairly long recovery time.

In recent years, however, it has become realized that rotator cuff surgery can actually be performed arthroscopically, (through tiny holes) with the aid of small camera-like instrument. After a few days, band-aids are all that are used on the incisions.

The camera is attached to a television monitor, so the doctor can perform surgery without a large incision. This is also beneficial to the patient because there is virtually no scarring after surgery, less anesthetic involved, and recovery times have been reported to be reduced.

Dr. Connolly is now utilizing state-of-the-art technology to enhance arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery even more through use of the platelet-rich plasma.

"This new technology is extremely fascinating in that the plasma mass actually acts as a healing stimulus for the patients tendon repair. The platelet growth factors are surgically placed in the shoulder so that it can accelerate tissue renewal," said Dr. Connolly.

Healing of the rotator cuff tendon repair relies on adequate blood supply and cellular migration. The process is naturally switched on by the body's own cellular activation system, and platelet derived growth factors are critically involved with this process. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is the name given to blood plasma with a high concentration of platelets (another blood component). These concentrated platelets contain huge doses of bioactive proteins, such as growth factors, that are pivotal in the repair and regeneration of issues. These special proteins also initiate new blood vessel formation, bone regeneration and healing, connective tissue repair and endorse overall wound healing. It is especially useful in patients whose healing abilities are compromised by smoking, diabetes, poor tissue quality or a host of other medical comorbidities. 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. Some patients may be considered candidates for a fast-track rehab program postoperatively with the use of this technique. This is especially important for individuals trying to return to work faster after this surgery.

PRP may be considered in tendon repairs is other areas of the body, both operative and non-operative. Last year, Hines Ward was able to play in the Super Bowl after an injury to his medial collateral ligament with an accelerated program which included PRP injections.