Studies show contrasting results for platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) therapy
Published date : 07 June 2012
Article date : 07 June 2012
In a randomized controlled study from the Hospital for Special Surgery Rodeo et report that platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) had no beneficial effect on rotator cuff healing. The authors used PRFM (Cascade Autologous Platelet System, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Edison, New Jersey) in patients of 40 years or older who had failed non operative treatment for full thickness rotator cuff tear. The system forms fibrin matrix by activation of the fibrin - clotting cascade using nine mls of peripheral venous blood. Cuff repairs were assessed with ultrasound at six and 12 weeks postoperatively. The authors comment that PRFM may have had a negative effect on healing.
In another study in the same journal, de Almeida et al report a smaller randomised study in which patients who underwent patellar tendon harvest had platelet-rich plasma (PRP) applied to the central patellar tendon defect. The authors used a Haemonetics MCS+ cell separator with a specific kit for platelet apheresis (995-E) and showed a smaller gap in the patellar tendon in treated patients.
