Augmenting Tendon and Ligament Repair with Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP)

Overview

Journal Muscles Ligaments Tendons J

Date 2013 Dec 25

PMID 24367773

Citations 35

Authors

Ting Yuan

Chang-Qing Zhang

James H-C Wang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Tendon and ligament injuries (TLI) commonly occur in athletes and non-athletes alike, and remarkably debilitate patients' athletic and personal abilities. Current clinical treatments, such as reconstruction surgeries, do not adequately heal these injuries and often result in the formation of scar tissue that is prone to re-injury. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a widely used alternative option that is also safe because of its autologous nature. PRP contains a number of growth factors that are responsible for its potential to heal TLIs effectively. In this review, we provide a comprehensive report on PRP. While basic science studies in general indicate the potential of PRP to treat TLIs effectively, a review of existing literature on the clinical use of PRP for the treatment of TLIs indicates a lack of consensus due to varied treatment outcomes. This suggests that current PRP treatment protocols for TLIs may not be optimal, and that not all TLIs may be effectively treated with PRP. Certainly, additional basic science studies are needed to develop optimal treatment protocols and determine those TLI conditions that can be treated effectively.

Citing Articles

Platelet rich plasma and anterior cruciate ligament repair: A new frontier, or a short term adjunct.

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Biologics in shoulder and elbow pathology.

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Platelet-rich plasma in the pathologic processes of tendinopathy: a review of basic science studies.

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