Clinical Applications of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Patellar Tendinopathy

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a blood derivative with high concentrations of platelets, has been found to have high levels of autologous growth factors (GFs), such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblastic growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). These GFs and other biological active proteins of PRP can promote tissue healing through the regulation of fibrosis and angiogenesis. Moreover, PRP is considered to be safe due to its autologous nature and long-term usage without any reported major complications. Therefore, PRP therapy could be an option in treating overused tendon damage such as chronic tendinopathy. Here, we present a systematic review highlighting the clinical effectiveness of PRP injection therapy in patellar tendinopathy, which is a major cause of athletes to retire from their respective careers.

Application of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma to Treat Tendon Injuries

“…In clinical applications, PRP treatment via injections improved the pain intensity and functional ability scores in patients with elbow tendinopathy (46–48), Achilles tendinopathy (49, 50) (51)and patellar tendinopathy (52, 53). …”

In vitro and in vivo effects of PDGF-BB delivery strategies on tendon healing: a review

“…In addition, positive clinical results for GEM 21S ® were reported in regenerative www.ecmjournal.org O Evrova et al PDGF-BB delivery for tendon healing periodontal surgery (Singh and Suresh, 2012). Moreover, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), blood plasma enriched with platelets, which release different growth factors (including PDGF-BB) upon activation by thrombin, has also been reported to be beneficial in a clinical setting [see reviews about PRP use in patellar tendinopathy (Jeong et al, 2014) and PRP use in medical collateral ligament injuries (Andia and Maffulli, 2015)]. Injection of PRP has been shown to be superior to shock wave therapy when treating jumper's knee (patellar tendon or quadriceps tendon) (Vetrano et al, 2013) and to reduce donor site morbidity in patellar tendons (de Almeida et al, 2012).…”

Tendinosis as the underlying pathology of osgood-schlatter disease: imaging similarities and treatment implications

“…High volume injections aim to accomplish the same result by injecting high volumes of fluid which interferes with the neovascularization process [12] . Platelet-rich plasma has been shown to be effective in treating tendinosis [25,29,30] . The PRP contains high concentrations of numerous growth factors such as: insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), transforming growth factor (TGF-), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived angiogenic factor (PDAF), and platelet-derived endothelial growth factor (PDEGF) [30] .…”

“…Platelet-rich plasma has been shown to be effective in treating tendinosis [25,29,30] . The PRP contains high concentrations of numerous growth factors such as: insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), transforming growth factor (TGF-), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived angiogenic factor (PDAF), and platelet-derived endothelial growth factor (PDEGF) [30] . The injection leads to increased extracellular matrix synthesis, cell migration, and proliferation resulting in healing to the injured area of tendon [29] .…”