Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy in the Treatment of Tendinopathy: Sham Treatment or Scientific Breakthrough

During medical school, my thesis dissertation focused on the perceived benefits of PRP injections in tendinopathy.

Abstract

Background:

Tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal condition that affects athletes and the general population alike. There are various different ways to manage this condition, but there is an increasing need for alternatives due to the limited efficacy of conventional treatments. Recently, platelet rich plasma therapy has become a popular substitute but there is debate as to whether or not this treatment is effective. This review will focus on examining and critically evaluating the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma therapy to see if it’s a viable treatment option in different types of tendinopathy.

Methods:

Different databases, including PubMed, Ovid Medline, EMBASE and Web ofScience were used to carry out literature searches. A primary search using the terms ‘platelet-rich plasma’ ‘platelet rich plasma therapy’ and ‘PRP’ was carried out and this was then subjected to a secondary search which included the keywords ‘tendinopathy’, ‘tendinosis’, and ‘tendonitis’. Thirteen randomized controlled trials were then identified and analyzed relating to PRP use in tendinopathy.

Results:

Although a few studies showed the efficacy of PRP in lateral epicondylitis, rotator cuff and patellar tendinopathy, better, well-designed research papers showed no difference between PRP and other traditional treatments. However, since a standardized treatment protocol has not been implemented, PRP formulations across different studies are variable in their preparation and technique and are therefore hard to objectively compare.

Conclusion:

Based on the evidence, although some results appear to be promising, PRP is not more effective than other conventional treatment options in the management of tendinopathy. Larger, well-designed placebo-controlled RCTs need to be conducted to determine the optimal protocol for PRP before it can be recommended for widespread use.

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