Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in the Treatment of Diseases Associated with Orthopedic Injuries

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous platelet concentrate prepared from the whole blood that is activated to release growth factors (GFs) and cytokines and has been shown to have the potential capacity to reduce inflammation and improve tissue anabolism for regeneration. The use of PRP provides a potential for repair due to its abundant GFs and cytokines, which are key in initiating and modulating regenerative microenvironments for soft and hard tissues. Among outpatients, orthopedic injuries are common and include bone defects, ligament injury, enthesopathy, musculoskeletal injury, peripheral nerve injury, chronic nonhealing wounds, articular cartilage lesions, and osteoarthritis, which are caused by trauma, sport-related or other types of trauma, or tumor resection. Surgical intervention is often required to treat these injuries. However, for numerous reasons regarding limited regeneration capacity and insufficient blood supply of the defect region, these treatments commonly result in unsatisfactory outcomes, and follow-up treatment is challenging. The aim of the present review is to explore future research in the field of PRP therapy in the treatment of diseases associated with orthopedic injuries.

Combination of graphene oxide and platelet-rich plasma improves tendon–bone healing in a rabbit model of supraspinatus tendon reconstruction

“…Recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that has the potential to solve these problems has aroused the interest of researchers. PRP is a type of platelet concentrate obtained by the centrifugation of an autologous whole blood sample, with a simple preparation process and a low immune response [ 8 , 9 ]. It has a rich source of GFs, such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor, which perform functions including regulating inflammation, promoting cell proliferation and differentiation, and accelerating angiogenesis [ 10–12 ].…”

Subchondral bone as a novel target for regenerative therapy of osteochondritis dissecans: A case report

“…Due to the lack of blood supply to the cartilage and undifferentiated cells that can migrate, proliferate, and participate in the repair response, restoring the structure and function of the cartilage becomes a challenge in OCD treatment[ 11 , 12 ]. There are drawbacks to these procedures used to regenerate cartilage, such as ACI and OAT.…”

Ultrasound-Guided Transforaminal Injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma Compared with Steroid in Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

“…Exclusion criteria are as follows: (1) infection; (2) had received prior injection treatment in the past 3 months, such as nerve root injection and caudal injection; (3) spinal tumors or tuberculosis; (4) multisegmental lumbar disc herniation, spinal deformity, or spinal stenosis; (5) not suitable for local injection; (6) allergic to the drug used in this study; (7) a history of drug abuse or oral anticoagulation; (8) pregnancy; (9) severe diabetes; (10) clinical diagnosis of heart disease, liver and kidney dysfunction, and hematological diseases; (11) abnormal psychological and cognitive disorders. 52 patients were not enrolled in this study (31 patients either did not meet the inclusion criteria or met the exclusion criteria, while the other 21 patients declined to participate).…”

“…Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a biological product from the centrifugation of autologous blood with a high number of platelets in a small volume of plasma, has a positive effect on pain relief in some musculoskeletal diseases, especially osteoarthritis, tendinosis, and ligament tears [ 10 ]. PRP contains high concentration of growth factors (GFs) and cytokines that play important roles in anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and proliferative effects on the neurons and fibroblasts [ 11 ]. Although the role of PRP in pain relief looks promising, the effect of transforaminal PRP injection in lumbar disc herniation with radicular pain remains unclear.…”