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Platelet-rich plasma shows effectiveness in the treatment of severe Achilles tendinosis
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MADRID — Autologous platelet-rich plasma has shown in an investigation to provide short-term patient satisfaction after its use in the treatment of severe Achilles tendinosis, according to a researcher, here.
“Normal blood has 200,000 platelets and you can increase that to the area of 2 million,” said Raymond Monto, MD, of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., to the EFORT Congress 2010.
He reported that this platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains a concentrated bioactive component of autologous blood that is rich in cytokines and other growth factors.
Failed conservative treatment
Monto and colleagues used PRP injected into 27 patients who had failed an average 8 months of nonoperative management for severe Achilles tendinosis, including physical therapy, NSAIDs, use of a CAM walker or cast immobilization, or night splinting.
Monto said they injected 4 cc of unbuffered PRP in a liquid into the site of the injury under ultrasonic guidance under a local anesthesia. All patients were then immobilized fully weight bearing in a cam walker for 48 hours and then allowed to return to normal activites as tolerated and without support.
According to the study abstract, pretreatment American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores averaged 34, all patients had MRI and ultrasound evidence of chronic tendinosis and nine had partial tears of the Achilles.
Improved AOFAS scores
Monto reported that after treatment the patient’s average AOFAS scores improved to 84, at 1 month, 87 at 2 months, 88 at 3 months, and 92 at 6 months with resolution of abnormalities seen in 25 post-treatment MRI and ultrasound studies.
“PRP is an effective treatment for severe Achilles tendinosis, with relatively no risk — there were no complications in our series — and potentially high benefits,” Monto said.
- Reference:
Monto R. Platelet-rich plasma treatment for chronic Achilles tendinosis. Paper #F264. Presented at the EFORT Congress 2010. June 2-5, 2010. Madrid.