Platelet Rich Plasma Paradigm: Innovations in Sports Injury Recovery

Introduction

In the world of exercise and sports, injuries are bound to occur.  Whether you’re 8 or 80 you can be at risk of injury which can sideline you from a game, prevent you from participating in your favorite exercise class, or interfere with your activities of daily living. The majority of sports related injuries don’t require surgery, however there can be a significant time spent in the rehabilitation and recovery process.  There has been an abundance of interest in the utilization of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to support muscle, tendon and ligament healing.  In the article below I want to provide a comprehensive review of PRP therapy’s role in orthopaedic care and its potential of sports injury recovery. 

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?

The popularity of platelet-rich plasma in treating various orthopaedic conditions has grown recently. PRP is an autologous mixture of platelets and growth factors produced by centrifugation of whole blood. PRP contains a supraphysiologic platelet concentration. PRP is thought to enhance soft tissue regeneration processes by releasing platelet derived growth factors, cytokines and other proteins capable of stimulating and modulating the inflammatory response. There have been studies suggesting that PRP is a safe and efficacious way of supporting tendon and ligament healing. Many patients consider this treatment trustworthy as the PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood and the risk of adverse effects to be minimal.  In addition, platelet-rich plasma injections have recently risen in popularity as they are readily available for preparation and delivery in an outpatient setting.   

How is PRP Collected, Prepared and Administered?

A typical PRP collection and treatment can be accomplished in a single outpatient office visit. A small volume of blood is collected from the patient utilizing standard phlebotomy techniques.  Once the blood is collected and properly labeled, it is transferred to a centrifuge where it is spun at high speeds. Through this process, the cells are separated into its individual parts. Once completed the PRP is extracted from the remaining blood products. Afterwards the PRP is injected into its target location utilizing sterile technique. These injections are often done with image guidance, such as ultrasound guided injections or fluoroscopy. Image guidance enhances precision and effectiveness of these injections. Finally, depending on the body part treated, there may be a short period of immobilization and activity modification followed by rehabilitation. 

What injuries and conditions can be treated with PRP?

PRP has been utilized to treat injuries such as Tendonitis, Muscle Strains and Ligament Strains, which are thought to be sources of pain and instability. In addition, PRP has been used to treat some forms of osteoarthritis. PRP is thought to stimulate regeneration in small tendon and ligament tears with the goal of strengthening and tightening these ligaments and tendons. The goal of PRP injections is improvement in function and an overall decrease in pain in the affected tendon, ligament, joint or muscle. Administration of PRP may serve as an alternative to some surgical treatments, reduce inflammation and allow for faster recovery and a quicker return-to-play. Platelet-rich plasma is not limited to just outpatient treatment. Some surgeons are utilizing PRP intraoperatively to augment post-operative healing. 

Is PRP an appropriate treatment for you?

Platelet-rich plasma can be utilized to support tissue healing in muscles, tendons and ligaments.  If you have an injury, please feel free to make an appointment with one of our physicians to determine if PRP is the appropriate treatment for you. Your healthcare provider will discuss risks, benefits, as well as alternative treatments to platelet-rich plasma injections. 

References

1. Kwapisz, A., Prabhakar, S., Compagnoni, R. et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma for Elbow Pathologies: a Descriptive Review of Current Literature. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 11, 598–606 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-018-9520-1
2. Mautner, Kenneth, et al. "Outcomes after ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injections for chronic tendinopathy: a multicenter, retrospective review." PM&R 5.3 (2013): 169-175.
3. Liu B, Jeong HJ, Yeo JH, Oh JH. Efficacy of Intraoperative Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation and Postoperative Platelet-Rich Plasma Booster Injection for Rotator Cuff Healing: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021 Jun 4;9(6):23259671211006100. doi: 10.1177/23259671211006100. PMID: 34159208; PMCID: PMC8182201.