AN OVERVIEW OF THE TECHNIQUES OF USING PRP IN ORTHOPEDIC

Background: Platelet rich plasma is an autologous mixture of highly concentrated platelets and associated growth factors produced by centrifugal separation of whole blood. Acute injury and chronic pathology often require surgical intervention, but surgical outcomes are unpredictable and often associated with persistent pain and discomfort. The poor self-repair capability of these tissues and limitations of current surgical and injection-based interventions have led to increased interest in platelet rich plasma PRP. Purpose: To perform an overview and a meta-analysis assessing the efficacy of PRP in orthopaedic department. Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis Methods: The Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, PubMed, Medline were used and assessed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) criteria with the following search terms: (‘PRP’ or ‘plasma’ or ‘platelet-rich’ or ‘platelet-rich plasma’) AND (‘orthopedic’ or ‘orthopedic surgery’) AND (‘Achilles tendon rupture/tear’ or ‘calcaneal tendon rupture/tear’) AND (rotator cuff) AND (‘RACL’ or ‘Reconstructive Anterior Cruciate Ligament’) AND (Tendinopathy) AND (‘epicondylitis’). Data pertaining to biomechanical outcomes, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and incidence of re-ruptures were extracted. Meta-analysis was performed for evaluation of PRP in orthopaedic department in at least 20 studies. Conclusion: This review shows that PRP may reduce pain associated with lateral epicondylitis, rotator cuff pathology, status post RACL, or status post Achilles Tendon Rupture. This review shows also that PRP treatment led to significantly improved VAS scores compared to alternative treatments in patients with lateral epicondylitis.