Brief summary, from the abstract
In athletes with chronic patellar tendinopathy, a single ultrasound-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma (either leukocyte-rich or leukocyte-poor) worked no better than a saline injection when both were paired with a supervised exercise rehabilitation program.
- Randomized controlled trial of 57 athletes with chronic patellar tendinopathy, each given a single ultrasound-guided injection of leukocyte-rich PRP, leukocyte-poor PRP, or saline, followed by 6 weeks of supervised rehabilitation.
- No significant difference between the three groups in change in VISA-P score, pain, or patient-reported global rating of change at any timepoint, with the primary outcome at 12 weeks and follow-up to 12 months.
- The authors conclude that neither PRP preparation outperformed saline for improving patellar tendinopathy symptoms when combined with rehabilitation.
- Evidence is from a single trial with a modest sample size, so results should be read with that limit in mind.
Clinically assessing this area? See the knee special tests.