Abstract

BACKGROUND Many studies have documented the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) alongside anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in the management of ACL injury, but evidence on the benefits of PRP in improving the clinical outcomes of ACLR is inconsistent. PURPOSE To help in our understanding, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of PRP on patient-reported functional scores, the clinical assessments of knee function and structure, and complications. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS We searched 9 online databases for RCTs published in English or Chinese that examined the effects of PRP on ACLR. The primary outcome measures were visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores. The secondary outcomes included KT-1000 arthrometer, pivot-shift test, Lysholm and Tegner scores, tunnel widening, graft characterization, and complications. Subgroup analyses were performed according to time of assessments. Fixed- and random-effects models were selected for data analysis. RESULTS A total of 14 studies were included. When PRP was injected to graft tunnels, the pooled VAS scores of the 2 groups were similar (P = .31), and the subgroup analysis found that VAS and IKDC only improved at 3 months postoperatively (P = .0003 and P < .00001, respectively). When PRP was used at the bone-patellar tendon-bone harvest sites, VAS was decreased in the first 6 months postoperatively (P < .00001), whereas IKDC score was not remarkably different (P = .07). After PRP injection, Lysholm scores at 3 months postoperatively was different between the 2 groups (P < .00001), but the Tegner scores (P = .86), KT-1000 measurements (P = .12), the positive rate of pivot-shift test (P = .64), the enlargement of tunnels (femoral, P = .91; tibial, P = .80), and the characterization of grafts (P = .05) were not different. No difference in complications was found in either group. CONCLUSION PRP applied alongside ACLR could reduce postoperative pain and improve knee function in the short and medium terms but is ineffective in the long term. PRP does not improve knee stability and the enlargement of tunnels and does not accelerate the healing of grafts. Further studies would be required.

Abstract

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To measure the additional effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on functional outcome of anterior cruciate ligament tear managed by augmenting anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with PRP. METHODS The present study was conducted on patients with ACL tear admitted in the department of orthopaedics, King George's Medical University, Lucknow wherein a total of 70 subjects were assigned into two groups of 35 patients each randomly, viz Group 1 in which the patients were treated by quadruple hamstring graft alone and Group 2 in which the patients were treated with augmented hamstring graft with PRP. The standardized anterior drawer test, Lachman's test, Lysholm knee score were quantified both preoperatively and postoperatively at different follow-ups and also tibial tunnel widening was measured postoperatively at different follow-ups. RESULT The present study had 70 patients with ACL tears. The mean age of patients in non-PRP groups was 29.71 ±2.99 years while that in the PRP group was 28.34±4.32 years. On comparing the improvement in grades at pre-op, immediate postop, 6 weeks, and 3 months follow-ups, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The tibial tunnel widening also showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION In our study, it was found that both the groups showed improvements in grades of anterior drawer test and Lachman's test postoperatively but the difference between both the groups was not significant. Similarly, while comparing the improvements in Lysholm knee score and tibial tunnel widening among both the groups, the difference was not significant. Follow up of 3 months was a limiting factor in our study. This technique needs further clinical evaluation to assess the long-term results.

Abstract

BACKGROUND This study aims to compare the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) alone or in combination with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) in patients affected by cartilage defects, undergoing knee arthroscopic microfracture. METHODS Thirty-eight patients diagnosed with a knee monocompartmental cartilage defect (Outerbridge grade IV) on the MRI, underwent an arthroscopic procedure. After the confirmation of the lesion, they all received the same bone marrow stimulation technique (microfracture) and were randomized into two groups: the first one had additional PRP injection (group A), while the second received PRP and AD-MSC injection (group B). Knee assessment and pain score were documented with Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Short-Form (SF) 12, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before the treatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up postoperatively. An additional arthroscopic procedure, performed in four patients for a subsequent meniscal lesion, let us evaluate cartilage evolution by performing a macro/microscopical assessment on cartilage biopsy specimens. RESULTS At the 12-month follow-up, both groups showed a comparable functional improvement. The scores on the IKDC form, KOOS, pain VAS, and SF-12 significantly improved from baseline (p < 0.05) to 12 months postoperatively in both treatment groups. The four second-look arthroscopies showed a complete repair of the articular defects by smooth solid cartilage layer, with a good chondrocytic population, in both groups. A thick smooth hyaline-like cartilage with a predominantly viable cell population and normal mineralization (a form closely resembling native tissue) was observed in group B. CONCLUSIONS Modern regenerative medicine techniques, such as PRP and AD-MSC, associated with traditional arthroscopic bone marrow stimulating techniques, seem to enhance cartilage restoration ability. The preliminary results of this pilot study encourage the synergic use of these regenerative modulating systems to improve the quality of the regenerated cartilage.

Abstract

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review of meta-analyses of rotator cuff repair using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to identify whether PRP improves clinical function and rate of tendon retears. We will (1) conduct a systematic review of the current meta-analyses of rotator cuff repair using platelet-rich plasma available in the literature, (2) evaluate the quality of these meta-analyses using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) methodology, (3) identify whether PRP improves clinical function and rate of tendon retears, and develop guidance to improve future studies in this area. METHODS We carried out a systematic review of previous meta-analyses published on the clinical outcomes of PRP used in the treatment of rotator cuff tears. We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and Embase databases, using various combinations of the commercial names of each PRP preparation and "rotator cuff" (with its associated terms), looking specifically at human meta-analysis studies involving the repair of the rotator cuff tendon surgically in the English language. Data validity was assessed and collected on clinical outcomes. Following this, a meta-analysis was undertaken. RESULTS Thirteen meta-analyses met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All were considered of similar quality with Oxman-Guyatt index of 9 and PRISMA score of more than 24. A total of 1,800 patients with an average follow up of 12 to 36 months. The use of PRP for arthroscopic rotator cuff tear, when compared with controls, leads to a lower number of retears, improved short-term postoperative scores, and functional outcome. The following postoperative scores were reported: Constant: 12, Simple Shoulder Test: 10, ASES (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons): 9, UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) 11, SANE (Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation) 1, VAS (visual analog scale): 6, and Retears: 13. Subgroup analysis showed that leukocyte content and gel application make no difference in the effectiveness of PRP. VAS score subgroup analysis showed short-term pain relief. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that PRP is effective in reducing retears after rotator cuff repair and improving functional outcome scores and reducing short-term pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, systematic review of Level I-III studies.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To determine whether leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (Lp-PRP) reduced retear rates, reduced fatty infiltration and improved functional outcomes in patients with degenerative moderate-to-large RCTs. METHODS This was a randomized controlled study at a single centre. Consecutive series of 104 patients with moderate-to-large rotator cuff tears were enrolled and randomly allocated to a control group (double-row suture-bridge arthroscopic rotator cuff repair alone, n=52) and a study group (double-row suture-bridge repair followed by three Lp-PRP injections at the tendon repair site during surgery, at days 7 and 14 after surgery, n=52). All patients were followed up for 27.2 months (range 24-36 months), with UCLA shoulder rating scale, the Constant score and a visual analog scale (VAS) evaluated respectively. The integrity and fatty infiltration of repaired tissue were assessed by MRI using the Sugaya classification and Goutallier grade classification at 24 months after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed based on T-test, chi-square test and the Kendall tau-b correlation coefficient. RESULTS 4 patients refused follow-up, and 11 patients had incomplete data. Eventually, a total of 89 patients were available for 24 months follow-up. The mean UCLA score increased from 14.802.53 to 29.372.06 in control group and from 13.743.30 to 30.142.32 in study group (p=0.103). The mean Constant score increased from 46.565.90 to 86.834.94 in control group and from 44.377.92 to 88.804.92 in study group (p=0.063). The VAS score decreased from 3.221.24 to 0.971.12 in control group and in 3.491.52 to 1.160.99 in study group (p=0.41). All differences of UCLA score, Constant score and VAS between pre- and post-operation achieve minimal clinically important difference (MCID) proposed for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Of the 89 patients, 76 had MRI performed at 24 months after surgery. The retear rate was 17.6% in study group, which was lower than that in control group (38.1%, p=0.049). And the Goutallier grade was found to be significant difference between groups postoperatively (Kendall tau-b -0.24, p=0.03), but no significant difference preoperatively (Kendall tau-b -0.18, p=0.11). There were no complications in all patients. CONCLUSION Our procedures, involving repeated injections of Lp-PRP during surgery and at days 7 and 14, as described in this study, has positive effects on reducing retear rate and promoting Goutallier grade by patients following arthroscopic RCR, and could also provide substantial clinical outcomes that reaching MCID for surgical treatment. However, given the numbers available for analysis, it did not promote better clinical results when compared with the control group.

Abstract

PURPOSE Platelet concentrate generation protocols have undergone several modifications in recent years; in light of this new development, this study review aims to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and the new centrifugation protocols, advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF), and leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF), after extraction of impacted mandibular third molar. Specifically, we assessed pain control, edema, trismus, and soft tissue healing, and also measured the degree of periodontal regeneration adjacent to the second molar. METHODS PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Virtual health library (BVS), and Cochrane Library were searched up to Julye 202; randomized controlled studies were included. This report followed the PRISMA statement and PICO questions. This review has been registered at PROSPERO under the number CRD42019136701. The risk of bias screening and data extraction was performed according to the guidelines recommended by Cochrane. The quantitative analysis was performed using RevMan version 5.4. RESULTS Of 17 studies included in the systematic review, 11 were eligible for the meta-analysis. The use of L-PRF was not associated with better soft tissue healing at day 7. (SMD = -0.70; 95% confidence interval, -3.50 to 2.10; Z = 0.49; P = .62; Pheterogeneity = 0.00001; I(2) = 97%). With L-PRF, qualitative analysis revealed better pocket depth and insertion level, and also better pain control at 1 and 3 days. With A-PRF, a lower consumption of analgesics was observed than with L-PRF. With both A-PRF and L-PRF, better control of edema (but not trismus) was observed. CONCLUSIONS The use of L-PRF and A-PRF allows better control of pain and edema compared with the use of standard PRF protocols, but neither has an effect on trismus. The PRF and L-PRF protocols improve soft tissue healing, although not to a statistically significant degree; however, they could improve probing depth at the third month after third molar surgery.

Abstract

BACKGROUND We investigated the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on tendon-bone healing and intra-articular graft (IAG) maturation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS In this prospective randomized controlled study, 60 patients with ruptured ACLs were divided one-to-one into two groups (study and control). Patients were treated using single-bundle autologous hamstring autografts. Only patients in the study group were administered PRP. Knee function (pre-operative and three-, six-, and 12-month post-operative Lysholm activity, Tegner and International Knee Documentation Committee scores, femoral tunnel (FT) and tibial tunnel (TT) diameters measured with computed tomography (post-operative follow-up at 4 days and at 12 months), and magnetic resonance imaging signal/noise quotients of the IAG and graft in the FT (at 12 months) were used to evaluate tendon-bone healing and graft maturation. RESULTS Patients' knee function scores improved after ACL reconstruction, but there were no significant differences between groups. At 12 months, FT (study, 8.88 ± 1.46 mm; control, 8.42 ± 2.75 mm) and TT (study, 9.50 ± 1.07 mm; control, 9.99 ± 1.91 mm) diameters were larger than FT (study, 6.91 ± 0.74 mm; control, 7.30 ± 1.17 mm) and TT (study, 9.31 ± 0.83 mm; control, 9.36 ± 0.88 mm) diameters at 4 days; however, differences between groups were not significant (FT, P = 0.67; TT, P = 0.52). There were no significant differences between groups for signal/noise quotients of the IAG (study, 1.38 ± 0.70; control, 2.01 ± 0.62; P = 0.06) and FT-portion of the graft (study, 2.39 ± 1.22; control, 2.46 ± 0.83; P = 0.89). CONCLUSION PRP had no significant effect on reducing bone tunnel widening, accelerating tendon-bone healing, or improving knee function; however, PRP may improve IAG maturation. TRIAL REGISTRATION Our study was first registered at Clinicaltrials.gov with registration No. NCT04659447 on 12/09/2020.

Abstract

To systematically review of randomized controlled trials(RCTs) to compared the effects of leukocyte-rich and leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Two independent reviewers comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Comparison of leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma or leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma in rotator cuff repair in a level I RCTs. Methodological quality assessment was carried out using Cochrane Review Manager 5.3 software. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Nine RCTs with 540 patients were included in this review. Meta-analysis showed that leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma in significantly reduced retear rate in rotator cuff repair [RR=0.56 95%CI (0.42,0.75); P＜0.05), and in clinical results, the constant score [MD=3.67, 95%CI (1.62,5.73); P=0.0005], UCLA score [MD=1.60, 95%CI (0.79,2.42); P=0.0001], ASES score [MD=2.16, 95%CI(0.12,4.20);P=0.04] were significantly improved. There was a significant result in favor of PRP for the Constant score [MD=-1.24, 95%CI(-1.50,-0.99); P＜0.00001], while SST scores were not significantly different among all groups [MD=0.21, 95%CI(-0.21,0.64); P=0.32]. In conclusion, leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma can improved the clinical function and reduced retear rate in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. In contrast, the efficacy of leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma was not significantly improved with the exception of VAS score.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the effect of hemocoagulase combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in total hip replacement (THR) on reducing bleeding and improving knee joint function in the patients with osteoarthritis. METHODS From February 2018 to February 2020, 80 osteoarthritis patients undergoing THR were included in the study, of which 40 cases were treated with PRP and hemocoagulase (test group) in the joint capsule in THR and the other 40 cases received saline and thrombin in the joint capsule after THR (control group). Postoperative drainage and corresponding functional exercise were performed for the two groups 12 hours after operation. The outcome measures including operation time, soft-tissue release, blood routine, drainage volume, perioperative blood loss, postoperative incision inflammation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and range of motion (ROM) of the joint were recorded. RESULTS The hemoglobin and hematocrit values of the test group on the second postoperative day were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The postoperative drainage volume and perioperative blood loss were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The test group was better than the control group in the ROM of the joint at 7 and 15 days after the operation (P < 0.05). A lower value of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time was revealed in the test group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference in the operation time, intraoperative soft-tissue release, postoperative incision inflammation, incidence of DVT, incidence of deep infection, and ROM at day 90 after THR was found in the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The application of hemocoagulase combined with PRP in THR can reduce perioperative blood loss, increase wound healing speed and quality, and improve coagulation and immune function. It is a safe and effective method for the patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent THR.

Abstract

PURPOSE To systematically review the effect of PRP on healing (vascularization, inflammation and ligamentization) and clinical outcomes (pain, knee function and stability) in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction and compare the preparation and application of PRP. METHODS Independent systematic searches of online databases (Medline, Embase and Web of Science) were conducted following PRISMA guidelines (final search 10th July 2021). Studies were screened against inclusion criteria and risk of bias assessed using Critical appraisal skills programme (CASP) Randomised controlled trial (RCT) checklist. Independent data extraction preceded narrative analysis. RESULTS 13 RCTs were included. The methods of PRP collection and application were varied. Significant early increases in rate of ligamentization and vascularisation were observed alongside early decreases in inflammation. No significant results were achieved in the later stages of the healing process. Significantly improved pain and knee function was found but no consensus reached. CONCLUSIONS PRP influences healing through early vascularisation, culminating in higher rates of ligamentization. Long-term effects were not demonstrated suggesting the influence of PRP is limited. No consensus was reached on the impact of PRP on pain, knee stability and resultant knee function, providing avenues for further research. Subsequent investigations could incorporate multiple doses over time, more frequent observation and comparisons of different forms of PRP. The lack of standardisation of PRP collection and application techniques makes comparison difficult. Due to considerable heterogeneity, (I(2) > 50%), a formal meta-analysis was not possible highlighting the need for further high quality RCTs to assess the effectiveness of PRP. The biasing towards young males highlights the need for a more diverse range of participants to make the study more applicable to the general population. TRAIL REGISTRATION CRD42021242078CRD, 15th March 2021, retrospectively registered.