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PRP Applications

Platelet-rich plasma is a regenerative therapy that has gained popularity in musculoskeletal medicine for its potent symptomatic relief, joint protection properties and in some cases its potential to augment the repair of tissues with low healing ability. It is a preparation of autologous blood enriched with platelet concentrations above that which are normally contained in whole blood. The concentrated platelet rich plasma is rich in growth factors that play a role in reducing inflammation, blood vessels formation, tissue regeneration, and cartilage proliferation.

Muscle injuries are common in athletics with a high recurrence rate. Hamstring injuries are common in professional athletes and can lead to significant time loss, with recurrent injury being common. Platelet- rich plasma injections have been shown to allow for faster return to play and can improve healing of the damaged tissues. It is beneficial to treat pain, accelerate healing and may aid in reducing the rates of reinjuries and shorten the time to return to play. Ultrasound – guided Platelet -rich plasma injections for muscle strain can boost the healing process after a muscle strain. Platelet-rich plasma therapy supports the three phases of wound healing.

Platelet-rich plasma is widely used in the treatment of tendon and ligament injuries. It is a common treatment for chronic tendon injuries. It is used to treat inflammation in the elbow such as tennis elbow due to repetitive motions, Achilles tendinitis and Patellar tendinitis.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common painful disability that impairs quality of life. Intra-articular Platelet-rich Plasma injections significantly improve pain, stiffness and physical function. Numerous randomized trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that patients undergoing treatment for knee osteoarthritis with Platelet-rich plasma experienced improved clinical outcomes when compared to injections of hyaluronic acid (Viscosupplementation), cortisone, or placebo. Platelet-rich plasma is regenerative medicine, not merely symptomatic relief. Studies report that injections of Platelet-rich plasma into the knee for arthritis can provide up to 12 months of pain relief and is superior to cortisone and hyaluronic acid.

Hip osteoarthritis is a common painful, disabling condition that impairs quality of life. Intra-articular injections of Platelet-rich plasma have been shown in some studies to offer a significant clinical improvement for patients with hip osteoarthritis without significant side effects. Studies report that Platelet-rich plasma injections alone and in combination with hyaluronic acid provide improvements in pain and function in hip osteoarthritis. At three months and six months after injection, Platelet-rich plasma injections demonstrated the best effect on pain reduction. Pain reduction and outcome improvement of Platelet-rich plasma injections in hip Osteoarthritis continues for 12 months after injections.

Platelet-rich plasma applied during arthroscopy for rotator cuff repair can reduce the rate of retearing and repair failure, improves outcomes and reduces recurrence rates.

Meniscal lesions represent one of the most frequent orthopaedic injuries. The loss of meniscus tissue leads to early knee arthritis. Especially in young patient, meniscus tissue should be preserved as much as possible to prevent knee arthritis. Clinical results after isolated meniscal repair are not always satisfactory, with an overall failure rate of around 25%. To improve the success rate of meniscal repair, different biologic augmentation techniques have been introduced in clinical practice, but their real efficacy is still controversial. A meta-analysis documented that Platelet-rich Plasma is safe and useful in improving the survival rate of surgical meniscus repair, with a 9.9% rate of failure versus 25.7% for the control group.

At Hyper Regen Sports Medicine we offer Platelet-rich plasma therapy to alleviate pain and speed healing. Contact us to schedule a consultation to learn more.

References

  • Bradley JP, Lawyer TJ, Ruef S, Towers JD, Arner JW. Platelet-Rich Plasma Shortens Return to Play in National Football League Players With Acute Hamstring Injuries. Orthop J Sports Med. 2020 Apr 17;8(4):2325967120911731. doi: 10.1177/2325967120911731. PMID: 32341927; PMCID: PMC7168779.
  • Zaffagnini S, Poggi A, Reale D, Andriolo L, Flanigan DC, Filardo G. Biologic Augmentation Reduces the Failure Rate of Meniscal Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021 Feb 24;9(2):2325967120981627. doi: 10.1177/2325967120981627. PMID: 33709004; PMCID: PMC7907660.
  • Balusani P Jr, Shrivastava S, Pundkar A, Kale P. Navigating the Therapeutic Landscape: A Comprehensive Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate in Knee Osteoarthritis. Cureus. 2024 Feb 23;16(2):e54747. doi: 10.7759/cureus.54747. PMID: 38524005; PMCID: PMC10960965.
  • Vale D, Pereira A, Andrade JP, Castro JP. The Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Muscle Strains in Athletes. Cureus. 2024 May 19;16(5):e60585. doi: 10.7759/cureus.60585. PMID: 38894806; PMCID: PMC11184543.
  • Dwyer T, Chahal J. Editorial Commentary: Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis: Doc, You Gotta Help Me! Arthroscopy. 2021 Apr;37(4):1288-1289. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2020.12.228. PMID: 33812528.
  • Shen Z, Ye X, He Y, Shen G, Xu K, Zhang B, Wu L. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair combined with platelet-rich plasma products can reduce the rate of retearing and improve clinical outcomes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 May 3;103(18):e38069. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038069. PMID: 38701265; PMCID: PMC11062711.
  • Dong Y, Zhang B, Yang Q, Zhu J, Sun X. The effects of platelet-rich plasma injection in knee and hip osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Rheumatol. 2021 Jan;40(1):263-277. doi: 10.1007/s10067-020-05185-2. Epub 2020 Jun 12. PMID: 32533337.
  • Belk JW, Kraeutler MJ, Houck DA, Goodrich JA, Dragoo JL, McCarty EC. Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Sports Med. 2021 Jan;49(1):249-260. doi: 10.1177/0363546520909397. Epub 2020 Apr 17. PMID: 32302218.
  • Dallari D, Stagni C, Rani N, Sabbioni G, Pelotti P, Torricelli P, Tschon M, Giavaresi G. Ultrasound-Guided Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Hyaluronic Acid, Separately and in Combination, for Hip Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Study. Am J Sports Med. 2016 Mar;44(3):664-71. doi: 10.1177/0363546515620383. Epub 2016 Jan 21. PMID: 26797697.
  • Nouri F, Babaee M, Peydayesh P, Esmaily H, Raeissadat SA. Comparison between the effects of ultrasound guided intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, and their combination in hip osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Sep 12;23(1):856. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05787-8. PMID: 36096771; PMCID: PMC9464606.
  • Anitua E, Sánchez M, Aguirre JJ, Prado R, Padilla S, Orive G. Efficacy and safety of plasma rich in growth factors intra-articular infiltrations in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy. 2014 Aug;30(8):1006-17. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2014.05.021. Epub 2014 Jul 1. PMID: 24996872.
At a Glance

Dr. Jas Chahal

  • Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Women’s College Hospital
  • Team Physician Toronto FC and University of Toronto Varsity Blues
  • Associate Professor, University of Toronto Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Program
  • Has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications
  • Learn more

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