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OTE200 survey: Platelet-rich plasma
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Is the use of platelet-rich plasma a valuable orthopedic option?
Platelet-rich plasma has been extensively used in the clinical setting for musculoskeletal injury such as tendinopathy as there is a great interest to facilitate healing and earlier return to sport. There are a few basic science and animal studies available, although of limited quality and not of the best design — indicating potential efficacy. There are, however, very few randomized controlled clinical trials assessing the efficacy of PRP injections available of which none have demonstrated any strong scientific evidence supporting beneficial effects. Overall the extensive clinical use of PRP for musculoskeletal injury does not have relevant high-level scientific support.
— Per Renström, MD, PhD
Professor
Emeritus, Department of Molecular Medicine and Research
Center for Sports
Trauma and Research
Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Disclosure: He has no relevant financial disclosures.
Not yes or no, but perhaps! Whereas there is an abundance of cell culture and several animal studies on PRP, there are not enough clinical studies of suffcient quality to ensure that PRP is indeed a valuable tool in orthopaedics. There are four or five randomized controlled trials, the majority of which show no effect when compared to placebo. There is little knowledge on the dose, the frequency of injections and the indications for PRP use at this time.
— Lars Engebretsen MD PhD
Professor
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Oslo University Hospital and Faculty
of Medicine University of Oslo
and Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center
Head
Physician, Norwegian Olympic Center (Olympiatoppen)
Head Scientific
Activities, International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Past President ESSKA
Disclosure: He has no relevant financial disclosures.
Platelet-rich plasma treatment is focused on tissue regeneration.
Until now orthopaedic surgeons have been looking for anatomy RESTORATION and RECOVERY of the function lost when a musculoskeletal system injury occurs.
Now, using this biological treatment one could achieve the third R: REGENERATION.
— Ramon Cugat MD, PhD
Orthopaedics
Today Europe Editorial Board Member
Disclosure: He has no
relevant financial disclosures.
Platelet-rich plasma seems to be a valuable option in muscular injuries in high-level sport athletes. In my practice I use it on a regular basis. But it needs to be proven by randomized studies because the goods results are a combination of the immediate care, the promise of a good result for the athlete and, of course, his application to the treatment and the physiotherapy applied. Platelet-rich plasma combined with surgery is more controversial. Once again, I use in high level athletes but it is not really proven that the results change and I do not have a big argument to oppose.
Isolated PRP injection in chronic Tendonitis (knee) has not given me extraordinary results...
The technical procedure has to be standardized to make comparable studies.
— David DeJour, MD
Lyon-Ortho-Clinic
Lyon, France
Disclosure: He has no relevant financial
disclosures.
A note from the editors: The OTE200 is a group of approximately 200 European orthopaedic practitioners, educators and researchers whose opinions we poll each month. If you would like to be considered for membership, please send a request to ote@slackinc.com.