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No impact of PRP seen in patients with Achilles tendon ruptures
Schepull T. Am J Sports Med. 2011. doi: 10.1177/0363546510383515.
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The results of a randomized single-blind study show no benefit to using platelet-rich plasma to treat patients with Achilles tendon ruptures.
Thorsten Schepull, MD, and colleagues studied 30 consecutive patients who had Achilles tendon ruptures and were implanted with tantalum beads placed proximal and distal to their ruptures. Sixteen patients were randomized to receive a 10 mL injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), according to the study abstract.
To estimate tendon strain per load, the investigators measured the distance between the beads as the patient pushed against varied dorsal flexion at the ankle. This measure was recorded at 7, 19 and 52 postoperative weeks. Using CT measurements of the callus, the investigators estimated elasticity modulus. They also evaluated the patients’ heal raise index and Achilles tendon total rupture score at 1 year.
“The mechanical variables showed a large degree of variation between patients that could not be explained by measuring error,” the authors wrote. A comparison of the groups showed no significant differences in heel raise index and elasticity modulus. However, the investigators found that the PRP group had a lower rupture score. The study also revealed a link between elasticity modulus at early time points and heel raise index at final follow-up.
“The variation in elasticity modulus provides biologically relevant information, although it is unclear how early biomechanics is connected to late clinical results,” the authors wrote.