The Effect of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Achilles Tendon Ruptures: An Experimental Study on Rabbits

Abstract

Background: Achilles tendon ruptures are characterized by a long recovery period, high re-rupture rate and late return to work. To overcome these difficulties and augment tendon repair, many agents have been used. Aims: To determine the effect of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures in rabbits. Study Design: Animal experimentation. Methods: The study included 14 New Zealand albino rabbits that were divided randomly into 2 groups, A and B, each containing seven rabbits. On day zero, all 28 Achilles tendons were tenotomized and repaired. In group A, the tendons were injected with PRP post-surgery, whereas those in group B were left untreated. On day 28, the right tendons in both groups were examined histopathologically via both light and electron microscopy, and the left tendons were subjected to biomechanical testing. Results:The histological and biomechanical findings in both light and electron microscopy in group A were better than those in group B, but the difference was not significant. According to Tang's scale, the mean value in Group A was 3.57, while it was 3.0 in Group B. The mean value of Group A for the length of collagen bands was 48.09 nm while the mean value of Group B was 46.58 nm (p=0.406). In biomechanical tests, although stiffness values were higher in group A, the difference between groups was not significant. In addition, maximum load values did not differ between groups A and B. Conclusion: PRP had no effect on the healing process 28 days post-Achilles tendon rupture.

One step double augmentation with human dermis allograft and homologous PRP in misdiagnosed/chronic Achilles tendon ruptures.

“…Treatment of a chronic/misdiagnosed Achilles tendon injury represents a real challenge for orthopaedic surgeon who has to operate tissues of reduced quality, widely degenerated, with poor intrinsic potential to healing, even after surgery, and possibility of failure of the performed suture. (11,20,22) Surgical solution is mandatory if you want to restore function, recovery of daily living and sporting activities and reduce pain. ( 3) "Regeneration" of repaired tendon is the basis to achiev the aforementioned objectives.…”

Effect of Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma on Appearance of Tenocytes at Injured Achilles Tendon Entheses in Rabbits

“…13 Different treatment modalities are being used to restore injured tendon, such as surgical procedures, chemical methods and tissue engineering techniques but, pursuit for the ideal mode of management is still continuous. 19 One of the latest methods to regenerate tendons and damaged enthesis, is the use of PRP. 5 PRP is a natural product of the blood plasma, having platelets in a concentration more than the baseline value of the whole blood.…”

Effects of Cyanoacrylate in Rabbits with Induced Achilles Tendon Rupture

“…In some patients who are treated conservatively or surgically, there can be rerupture of tendons between 4 and 12 weeks after surgery, when the tissue quality is poor in the late stages of healing [ 10 ]. This is the reason that tendons in other studies and in the present study were evaluated at 4 and 6 weeks after surgery [ 11 , 12 ].…”