Tiger Woods was allegedly treated by a Canadian doctor who “gave” home blood spun derivatives in his knee. The media has made claims that this is type of growth hormone that is a type of performance enhancing drug. This is absolutely not true.

This procedure is called Autologous Platelet Concentrate (APC) injections and is a blood spinning product which is injected into the injured area. However, this product is blood taken from the patient and it is prepared in the room. It is performed with sterile instrumentation and the patient is injected under local anesthesia; ie. field block of the area.

Autologous Platelet Concentrate, or APC, has very good outcomes and orthopedists have used these injections into the knee. We provide this treatment for the foot and ankle in our office(s) and have had great outcomes with many of our patients.

This blood produced is spun using a centrifuge and plasma that is developed and is enriched with nutrients, especially growth factors. The growth factors are the body’s own factors and not an anabolic steroid derivative. This blood derived product enhances repair and growth of new tendon or ligaments as well as reducing inflammation.

There are studies that very promising and the media has unfortunately misinterpreted the treatment and has shed a negative light on a positive medical option. If you have any questions about APC, please feel free to contact me at anytime or feel free to reply to this blog.

-  Dr. Jasen Langley