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Updated: May 23, 2026
Effects of Allogeneic Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) on the Healing Process of Sectioned Achilles Tendons of Rats: A Methodological Description
Published on: March 19, 2018
Patellar tendon healing with platelet-rich plasma: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Adriano Marques de Almeida1, Marco Kawamura Demange, Marcel Faraco Sobrado
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo University Medical School, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, R. Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos, 333, Cerqueira César, 05403-010 São Paulo, Brazil. adrianoalmeida@usp.br
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) enhanced patellar tendon healing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, reducing immediate pain. However, long-term functional outcomes at six months showed no significant difference between groups.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Regenerative Medicine
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Patellar tendon healing is often compromised after harvesting the central third for grafts.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is being investigated for its potential to enhance tissue regeneration and healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of adding PRP to the patellar tendon harvest site.
- To determine if PRP improves donor site healing and clinical outcomes at 6 months post-ACL reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial (Level of evidence, 1) involving 27 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.
- Patients were assigned to receive PRP in the harvest site (n=12) or not (control, n=15).
- Primary outcome: MRI assessment of patellar tendon gap area at 6 months. Secondary outcomes: pain scores, questionnaires, and isokinetic testing.
Main Results:
- The PRP group showed a significantly smaller patellar tendon gap area on MRI at 6 months (P=.046).
- Immediate postoperative pain scores (Visual Analog Scale) were significantly lower in the PRP group (P=.02).
- No significant differences were observed between groups in questionnaire or isokinetic testing results at 6 months.
Conclusions:
- PRP application to the patellar tendon harvest site positively influences tendon healing as evidenced by MRI at 6 months.
- PRP reduces immediate postoperative pain following ACL reconstruction.
- While improving MRI-assessed healing and reducing acute pain, PRP did not yield significant differences in functional outcomes at the 6-month follow-up.
