PFC-FD Therapy

PFC-FD stands for “Platelet-derived Factor Concentrate Freeze Dry,” which in Japanese is “Kesshoubann-yurai-innshi-noushukubutu-touketsu-kannsou”. It essentially is a regenerative therapy that utilizes the self-repairing function of the patient’s own blood, not unlike the PRP therapy described above, but the critical difference is that PFC-FD does not contain platelets. Instead, cytokines are concentrated twice as much, and anti-inflammatory and tissue repair effects are expected to be more effective. PFC-FD is injected into the injured area to promote self-repair function, reducing pain and healing the injured area. The general advantage of this treatment is that there are fewer side effects, such as allergies, because it injects an ingredient extracted from the patient’s own platelets. In addition, while PRP cannot be frozen and stored, PFC-FD can be frozen and stored for approximately 6 months, allowing for treatments whenever desired. However, because it takes three weeks from blood drawing to purification, treatment cannot be performed on the same day as PRP therapy (which takes about 1.5 hours for purification). The disadvantage is that some cytokines induce an inflammatory response, so there is no direct harm, although common side effects (pain, redness, swelling, etc.) from injections may occur. In addition, because it depends on self-repair, the repair process may not work well, and there are individual differences regarding the effectiveness of its treatment.

高濃度ビタミンC療法

当クリニックでは、自由診療にて、高濃度ビタミンC療法を行っています。ぜひ一度お試しください。
高濃度ビタミンC療法は、次のような症状に効果が期待できます。症状、治療内容によって、ビタミンCの1回の投与量、回数は変わります。
当クリニックで使用している高濃度ビタミンCは、酸化防止剤を不使用です。米国メリット社製より、正規代理店を通して輸入しているため、品質に関してもご安心いただけます。

Diseases covered by PFC-FD Therapy

  • Knee osteoarthritis
  • Rotator cuff injuries (frozen shoulder, traumatic, etc.)
  • Ligament injuries (knee collateral ligament, anterior talofibular ligament, etc.)
  • Inflammation of muscle-tendon attachments (tendonitis, golf elbow, tennis elbow, etc.)

Precautions for PFC-FD

  • PFC-FD can be offered only to those who test negative for infectious diseases (syphilis, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), parvovirus B19 (but only when necessary)). If the results of the blood test show that processing work cannot be performed, you will only be charged for the initial visit and the blood test. (See costs below).
  • Patients with malignant tumors are not eligible for the treatment.
  • In some rare cases, blood samples may not be drawn if the patient is not in good physical condition or depending on the condition of the blood. In such cases, you may be asked to have your blood drawn again.
  • If the blood is damaged during transport from the medical institution, the blood must be drawn again.
  • If the retention period is exceeded, the data will be discarded. (The retention period is six months.)

PFC Production Method

About 50 cc of blood is drawn from a vein and transported to the CellSource Regenerative Medicine Center (a facility licensed by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for the production of specific cell processed products) to prepare PFC-FD. Six ml of PFC can be produced with a single blood draw. Since the retention period is 6 months, it can be injected in the joint cavity in a single injection, or in two separate injections with a month’s interval between them. If desired, it is possible to increase the volume of blood collected at one time up to 100 cc and make up to 12 ml, but please note that the fee will be doubled. The volume of each injection within the ligament and tendon sheath is about 2 cc, so a total of three injections can be performed once every two weeks.
*Since it takes 3 weeks to prepare the injections, injections into the affected area will be made after 3 weeks.
*No hospitalization or operation is required after treatment.

Pre-Treatment Imaging Examination

At the first visit, the patient is asked to bring radiographs of the knee joint and MRI scans of the knee joint and any damaged ligaments or tendons. Those who do not have the test on hand and have difficulty obtaining it, or those who have not had each test performed within 6 months, will be asked to arrange for the test at the Minato Shiba Clinic or a nearby medical facility specializing in imaging tests at the time of their first visit.

1X-ray examination

  • confirms that the patient has osteoarthritis of the knee, grade 2-4 of the Kellgren-Lawrence classification.

2 MRI (nuclear magnetic resonance)

  • evaluates the degree of cartilage and meniscus damage in the joint.

3PFC administration

  • The joint space or ligament/tendon sheath is confirmed under echography to ensure PFC is securely administered.

4Postoperative examination

  • Posttreatment examination MRI (nuclear magnetic resonance): Evaluation of postoperative progress.

Cost(including tax)

slide→
Initial consultation 5,500 yen
Infectious disease test 11,000yen
・ Imaging Examination Fee X-ray No co-payment at affiliated Minato Shiba Clinic or nearby medical facilities specializing in imaging tests((However, health insurance card holders)   
MRI one side 33,000yen
PFC-FD joint intra-articular injection 6 ml per dose 165,000 yen
PFC-FD ligament/tendon sheath intratendinous injection 3 doses 2 ml X 3 165,000 yen

As a rule, payment is due on the agreed date.
Please use credit card.

Q&A on PFC-FD Therapy

Q How long does it take to get the desired effect? And how long will the effect last?
A
Although there is no immediate effect, tissue repair occurs in about one week to six months, and the effects of inflammation and pain reduction are recognized. Effects and durations vary from person to person, but there have been reports of improvements lasting from as short as one month to generally three to six months, with up to two years of improvement.
Q Can I take the program even at an advanced age?
A
You can take it. For chronic pain, combined treatment with rehabilitation is recommended.
Q How about safety?
A
After your own blood is drawn, it is transported in a clean condition to CellSource Regenerative Medicine Center (a facility licensed by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for the production of specific cellular processed products) to prepare PFC-FD, so you can expect it to be safe.
Q Does it have any side effects?
A
Since it is purified from your own blood, you can expect fewer side effects such as immune reactions. There may be pain, redness, swelling, heat, and subcutaneous bleeding at the injection site similar to general injection therapy. These side effects are often temporary and usually get better within a week or so.
Q Can I donate blood after treatment?
A
Since PFC-FD therapy uses your own blood, the advantage is that you can donate blood even after treatment.
Q When can I start to exercise?
A
Depending on the injection site, please refrain from exercise and massage on the same day. If there is no significant swelling or severe pain, light exercise is possible from the next day. Rehabilitation starts after one week, and the intensity of exercise is gradually increased. Usually, it takes about one month to notice a change in symptoms.

*This treatment has the advantage that those who cannot receive the aforementioned PFC-FD therapy or the stem cell therapy described below due to infection can also receive this treatment.

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