A Prospective Study of Platelet-Rich Plasma as Biological Augmentation for Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair

Abstract

Acute Achilles tendon rupture is one of the most common tendon injuries in adults. We hypothesized that Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) can be used as biological augmentation for surgical treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Our study is a prospective randomized controlled trial. Patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture undergoing surgical repair were randomly assigned into either control group or PRP group. End-to-end modified Krackow suture was performed in both groups. In the PRP group, PRP was injected into the paratenon sheath and around the ruptured tissue after the tendon was repaired. Postoperatively we evaluated isokinetic muscle strength at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. In addition, ankle ROM, calf circumference, Leppilahti score, and the SF-36 score were evaluated at 6, 12, and 24 months after operation. At 3 months, the PRP group had better isokinetic muscle. The PRP group also achieved higher SF-36 and Leppilahti scores at 6 and 12 months. At 24 months, the PRP group had an improved ankle range of motion compared to the control group. Our study results suggest that PRP can serve as a biological augmentation to acute Achilles tendon rupture repair and improves both short and midterm functional outcomes.

Clinical outcomes after common calcanean tendon rupture repair in dogs with a loop‐suture tenorrhaphy technique and autogenous leukoreduced platelet‐rich plasma

“…Another prospective randomized controlled study found less functional outcomes in dogs treated with PRP and surgery compared with those treated with surgery alone; however, in this study the platelet concentration was 17 times that of whole blood in contrast to most commercially available systems that result in concentrations between 1 and 8 times whole blood in dogs . In a randomized controlled prospective clinical trial comparing surgical repairs of human Achilles tendon ruptures with and without PRP, there were improved short and midterm functional outcomes in the patients treated with PRP on the basis of isokinetic muscle strength, ankle range of motion, and muscle mass . In a more recent prospective randomized study, there were no improvements in outcomes with PRP combined with surgical repair in 30 dogs with CCT ruptures .…”

“…32 In a randomized controlled prospective clinical trial comparing surgical repairs of human Achilles tendon ruptures with and without PRP, there were improved short and midterm functional outcomes in the patients treated with PRP on the basis of isokinetic muscle strength, ankle range of motion, and muscle mass. 33 In a more recent prospective randomized study, there were no improvements in outcomes with PRP combined with surgical repair in 30 dogs with CCT ruptures. 34 Conclusions regarding the potential benefits of PRP in the treatment of canine CCT ruptures cannot be determined from the present study.…”

Regenerative Sports Medicine: Past, Present, and Future (Adapted From the PASSOR Legacy Award Presentation; AAPMR; October 2016)

“…Published data are mixed with fewer robust studies for Achilles and patella tendinopathy, limiting our ability to draw conclusions about efficacy. Table 2 presents a list of studies [49‐89] and levels of evidence.…”

Rotura en tendón de Aquiles: manejo postquirúrgico para acelerar el regreso a la actividad deportiva

“…Zou y colaboradores realizó un estudio aprobado por el comité ético de del Sexto Hospital Popular de Shanghai (53). Reclutaron 52 casos de roturas agudas de Aquiles durante el período de estudio.…”