Platelet-rich plasma in the management of diabetic foot ulcers (Review)

Diabetes mellitus represents a major global health concern, frequently complicated by chronic, non-healing wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). These ulcers are a leading cause of morbidity, impaired quality of life and limb amputation among individuals with diabetes. The impaired healing capacity observed in DFUs results from persistent inflammation, ischemia and a deficiency of local growth factors, which together hinder effective tissue regeneration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous or allogeneic concentrate of platelets, fibrin, cytokines and leukocytes, has been proposed as a biologically active adjunct capable of accelerating tissue regeneration. The present study performed a narrative review of clinical trials and comparative studies assessing PRP therapy compared with the standard of care (SOC) in the treatment of DFUs. Across the reviewed literature, PRP demonstrated higher complete healing rates and a shorter time-to-closure compared with the SOC. In addition, a reduction in infection rates, pain intensity and ulcer recurrence was consistently reported, with minimal adverse effects. Both autologous and allogeneic PRP preparations were effective, and no major difference was observed between topical application and perilesional injection. In conclusion, PRP therapy represents a safe and promising option for enhancing wound healing in patients with DFUs. However, the lack of standardized preparation protocols and heterogeneous study methodologies underscores the need for well-designed, multicenter randomized trials to confirm these findings and to establish optimal treatment parameters.