Here are five studies examining the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in different applications. The studies were all published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine unless otherwise noted.
1. Shoulder surgery. In a recent study, 37 patients underwent surgery for rotator cuff tears and 16 received a platelet-rich fibrin matrix during the procedure. The re-tear rate among the PRFM group was 56.2 percent, which was significantly higher than the control group. The functional outcome scores of both groups postoperatively were similar.
2. Arthroscopic rotator cuff tears. Another study found that applying plate-rich plasma during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair doesn't demonstrate clear clinical recovery advantages beyond an improvement for internal rotation. The researchers examined 42 patients who underwent surgery for full-thickness rotator cuff tears, 19 of which received PRP. The PRP was applied in the form of gel treated to a suture and placed between the tendon and bone. The groups reported similar pain, range of motion, strength and functional scores. The re-tear rate among the PRP group was lower (26.7 percent) than the non-PRP group (41.2 percent).
3. Total knee replacement. Applying PRP after TKR could reduce blood loss, according to a study conducted by Jeffrey Traina, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Natchez (Miss.) Community Hospital. In the study, Dr. Traina examined 81 patients who received PRP after total knee replacement. He found that only 2.4 percent of the patients needed a blood transfusion postoperatively, compared to typical transfusion rates of 30-50 percent. The results of this study were presented at the annual International Arthroplasty Conference and International Society for Technical Arthroplasty.
4. Tennis elbow. Researchers show that PRP injections for chronic lateral elbow epicondylitis can significantly reduce pain in the short term when compared with autologous whole blood injections. However, even though the patients who received PRP reported better pain scores at the six-week follow up, the scores equalized between the two groups by the six month follow up. In the study, researchers randomized 28 consecutive patients with lateral epicondylitis who received a whole blood or PRP injection. At no time was there a significant difference reported in elbow function.
5. Achilles tendon. A study published earlier this year of a randomized, controlled trial of platelet-rich plasma injections to repair a damaged Achilles tendon showed no clinical or ultrasonographic advantages over a placebo injection. In the study, researchers examined 54 patients with chronic tendinopathy who either received saline or PRP injections. Both groups experienced improvement after one year, although neither group showed significant improvement over the other. In both groups, approximately 59 percent of the patients were satisfied with their treatment after one year.
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2. Arthroscopic rotator cuff tears. Another study found that applying plate-rich plasma during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair doesn't demonstrate clear clinical recovery advantages beyond an improvement for internal rotation. The researchers examined 42 patients who underwent surgery for full-thickness rotator cuff tears, 19 of which received PRP. The PRP was applied in the form of gel treated to a suture and placed between the tendon and bone. The groups reported similar pain, range of motion, strength and functional scores. The re-tear rate among the PRP group was lower (26.7 percent) than the non-PRP group (41.2 percent).
3. Total knee replacement. Applying PRP after TKR could reduce blood loss, according to a study conducted by Jeffrey Traina, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Natchez (Miss.) Community Hospital. In the study, Dr. Traina examined 81 patients who received PRP after total knee replacement. He found that only 2.4 percent of the patients needed a blood transfusion postoperatively, compared to typical transfusion rates of 30-50 percent. The results of this study were presented at the annual International Arthroplasty Conference and International Society for Technical Arthroplasty.
4. Tennis elbow. Researchers show that PRP injections for chronic lateral elbow epicondylitis can significantly reduce pain in the short term when compared with autologous whole blood injections. However, even though the patients who received PRP reported better pain scores at the six-week follow up, the scores equalized between the two groups by the six month follow up. In the study, researchers randomized 28 consecutive patients with lateral epicondylitis who received a whole blood or PRP injection. At no time was there a significant difference reported in elbow function.
5. Achilles tendon. A study published earlier this year of a randomized, controlled trial of platelet-rich plasma injections to repair a damaged Achilles tendon showed no clinical or ultrasonographic advantages over a placebo injection. In the study, researchers examined 54 patients with chronic tendinopathy who either received saline or PRP injections. Both groups experienced improvement after one year, although neither group showed significant improvement over the other. In both groups, approximately 59 percent of the patients were satisfied with their treatment after one year.
Related Articles on Sports Medicine:
7 Ways for Orthopedic Practices to Focus on Youth Sports Medicine
Focus on the Shoulder: 5 Studies to Know
Dr. Anthony Romeo: 6 Techniques and Treatments Revolutionizing Shoulder Surgery