Experts still undecided regarding the merit of platelet-rich plasma in sports medicine

Findings from a study in the October issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggest that early outcomes of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for several common orthopedic-related sports medicine conditions appear promising, but larger clinical studies are still needed to determine the benefits of its use.

“Some believe that PRP may catalyze the body's repair mechanisms at areas of injury, improve healing and shorten recovery time,” co-author Michael P. Hall, MD, a senior orthopedic surgery resident at the New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, said in a press release. “However, there currently is minimal evidence of this clinically, and more research must be performed.”

Surgeons have used PRP treatments for the past two decades to improve wound healing and bone grafting procedures, but sports medicine specialists have only recently started using this technology, according to the press release.

In sports medicine, orthopedic surgeons have used PRP primarily to treat chronic tendon conditions and acute muscle injuries and to augment tendon repair in the operating room. The most common applications include:

tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis);
Achilles tendonitis;
patellar tendonitis; and
rotator cuff tendonopathy.

In the press release, Hall said PRP use has increased in recent years and has become a popular topic of discussion because the process is “simple, quick and relatively safe for patients."

Also, “Use of PRP has increased in large part due to new devices that enable fast preparation in the outpatient setting. A patient gives a blood sample and 30 minutes later he can receive the injection,” he said. “There is always a risk of infection with any injection, and some have reported increased pain or inflammation at the injection site, but otherwise the risks with PRP appear minimal.”

Hall suggested that before embarking on PRP, patients should try conventional treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, massage, activity modification, bracing and even cortisone injections.

“The bottom line is that there are some studies indicating that PRP may be beneficial in the healing process. Does it really have a positive effect clinically? We don't know,” Hall said in the press release. “The good news is that there are a tremendous amount of studies underway. Hopefully in the next few years, we will be able to help determine the true benefit of PRP.”

Reference:
Hall MP, Band PA, Meislin RJ, et al. Platelet-rich plasma: Current concepts and application in sports medicine. J Amer Acad Orth Surg. 17;10;602-608.