Women show a positive response to platelet-rich plasma despite presenting more painful knee osteoarthritis than men.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of gender on the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), comparing their short-term response between men and women.

Methods: Four hundred-eighteen patients (529 knees) were included. Patients were treated with three injections of PRP on a weekly basis.

Real-world evidence to assess the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of knee degenerative pathology: a prospective observational study.

Objective: The present work aims to analyse the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in degenerative knee pathology based on real-world data and to evaluate possible factors influencing the response to treatment.

Methods: In total, 531 cases were analysed collecting data on gender, age, body mass index, pathology location, severity, number of cycles and route of administration. Clinical outcome was evaluated at 6 and 15 months after treatment, using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and obtaining percentages of Minimal Clinically Important Improvement (MCII).

Platelet-Rich Plasma Applications for Achilles Tendon Repair: A Bridge between Biology and Surgery.

Achilles tendon ruptures are very common tendon ruptures and their incidence is increasing in modern society, resulting in work incapacity and months off sport, which generate a need for accelerated and successful therapeutic repair strategy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is emerging as adjuvant human blood-derived constructs to assist Achilles tendon rupture treatment. However, myriad PRP preparation methods in conjunction with poor standardization in the modalities of their applications impinge on the consistent effectiveness of clinical and structural outcomes regarding their therapeutic efficacy.

Platelet-rich plasma combined with allograft to treat osteochondritis dissecans of the knee: a case report.

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee is a prevalent pathology in young, active people that is brought about by either traumatic, developmental, or iatrogenic etiologies.

Case Presentation: A 40-year-old Caucasian man reporting pain, swelling, and functional reduction was evaluated and diagnosed with internal condyle osteochondritis dissecans of the knee. Harnessing the trophic, chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of platelet-rich plasma, we carried out a knee open-sky surgical technique in which we combined autologous therapy with osteochondral allograft to treat the focal, large, and deep traumatic-iatrogenic osteochondritis dissecans of the knee.

Combination of Intra-Articular and Intraosseous Injections of Platelet Rich Plasma for Severe Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to assess a novel approach to treating severe knee osteoarthritis by targeting synovial membrane, superficial articular cartilage, synovial fluid, and subchondral bone by combining intra-articular injections and intraosseous infiltrations of platelet rich plasma. We explored a new strategy consisting of intraosseous infiltrations of platelet rich plasma into the subchondral bone in combination with the conventional intra-articular injection in order to tackle several knee joint tissues simultaneously. We assessed the clinical outcomes through osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) and the inflammatory response by quantifying mesenchymal stem cells in synovial fluid.

Platelet rich plasma and knee surgery.

In orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine, the knee joint has traditionally been considered the workhorse. The reconstruction of every damaged element in this joint is crucial in achieving the surgeon's goal to restore the knee function and prevent degeneration towards osteoarthritis. In the last fifteen years, the field of regenerative medicine is witnessing a boost of autologous blood-derived platelet rich plasma products (PRPs) application to effectively mimic and accelerate the tissue healing process.

A less-invasive technique for capsular management during hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement.

The aim of this work is to describe a new arthroscopic technique for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement that allows a complete articular joint view with maximum protection of the capsuloligamentous complex. This arthroscopic technique avoids injury to the capsuloligamentous complex, preventing the risk of postoperative instability. The diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement was based on clinical and radiographic grounds.

A randomized clinical trial evaluating plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF-Endoret) versus hyaluronic acid in the short-term treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose: This multicenter, double-blind clinical trial evaluated and compared the efficacy and safety of PRGF-Endoret (BTI Biotechnology Institute, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain), an autologous biological therapy for regenerative purposes, versus hyaluronic acid (HA) as a short-term treatment for knee pain from osteoarthritis.

Methods: We randomly assigned 176 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis to receive infiltrations with PRGF-Endoret or with HA (3 injections on a weekly basis). The primary outcome measure was a 50% decrease in knee pain from baseline to week 24.

Ligamentization of tendon grafts treated with an endogenous preparation rich in growth factors: gross morphology and histology.

Purpose: To investigate whether the application of a particular platelet-rich plasma preparation rich in growth factors (PRGF) during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery gives a potential advantage for better tendon graft ligamentization.

Methods: This study included 37 volunteers who underwent either conventional (control group, n = 15) or PRGF-assisted (n = 22) ACL reconstruction with an autogenous hamstring and required second-look arthroscopy to remove hardware or loose bodies, treat meniscal tears or plica syndrome, or resect cyclops lesions at 6 to 24 months after ACL surgery. The gross morphologies of the grafts were evaluated on second-look arthroscopy by use of the full arthroscopic score (0 to 4 points) to evaluate graft thickness and apparent tension (0 to 2 points) plus synovial coverage (0 to 2 points).

Relationship between Investigative Biomarkers and Radiographic Grading in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Objective. To examine new investigative biomarkers and their relevance for radiographic severity in knee osteoarthritis. Methods.

Nonunions treated with autologous preparation rich in growth factors.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of using a biologic technology known as preparation rich in growth factors (PRGF) for the treatment of nonhypertrophic nonunion.

Design: The design of the study was a retrospective case series.

Setting: The private practice was in 2 centers.

Reciprocal actions of platelet-secreted TGF-beta1 on the production of VEGF and HGF by human tendon cells.

Background: Autologous platelet-rich matrices can be an aid in surgery by promoting and accelerating tissue healing because of the release of growth factors including transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) from platelet alpha-granules.

Methods: PDGF and TGF-beta1 were quantified in supernatants collected from platelet-rich matrices prepared in vitro (n = 45 donors) and they correlated with the number of platelets and showed a constant ratio (p < 0.05).

Comparison of surgically repaired Achilles tendon tears using platelet-rich fibrin matrices.

Background: Platelet-rich fibrin matrices release a natural mixture of growth factors that play central roles in the complex processes of tendon healing.

Hypothesis: Application of autologous platelet-rich matrices during Achilles tendon surgery may promote healing and functional recovery.

Study Design: Case-control study and descriptive laboratory study; Level of evidence, 3.

Autologous fibrin matrices: a potential source of biological mediators that modulate tendon cell activities.

The use of autologous fibrin matrices has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for the local and physiological delivery of growth factors in the treatment of several clinical conditions requiring tendon healing or tendon graft remodelling. In the present work, we investigated the proliferation, synthesis of type-I collagen and angiogenic factors by tendon cells seeded on platelet-rich (PR) and platelet-poor (PP) matrices. Furthermore, in vivo cellular and vascular effects of each treatment were examined after infiltration in Achilles tendon in sheep.

Autologous preparations rich in growth factors promote proliferation and induce VEGF and HGF production by human tendon cells in culture.

Blood platelets become activated and aggregate at the site of vessel injury. Upon activation by thrombin, platelets release storage pools of proteins and growth factors (GFs), including those involved in tissue repair. Our goal was to evaluate the potential beneficial effect of proteins released from platelet-rich clots on tendon healing.

Plasma rich in growth factors to treat an articular cartilage avulsion: a case report.

Introduction: The application of an autologous plasma rich in growth factors is beneficial in restoring connective tissues, as shown by clinical evidence in oral surgery and more recently in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and two cases of ruptured Achilles tendon in professional athletes. This is attributed to the slow delivery of growth factors from harvested platelets that have been activated by endogenous thrombin promoted by the addition of calcium chloride.

Purpose: This case report describes a new application of this therapy in the arthroscopic treatment of a large, nontraumatic avulsion of articular cartilage in the knee of an adolescent soccer player.