The use of platelet-rich plasma to treat chronic tendinopathies: A technical analysis

[en] Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma with a high concentration of autologous platelets which constitute an immense reservoir of growth factors. The clinical use of PRP is widespread in various medical applications. Although highly popular with athletes, the use of PRP for the treatment of tendinopathies remains scientifically controversial, particularly due to the diversity of products that go by the name of “PRP.” To optimize its use, it is important to look at the various stages of obtaining PRP. In this literature review, we take a closer look at eight parameters which may influence the quality of PRP: 1) anticoagulants used to preserve the best platelet function, 2) the speed of centrifugation used to extract the platelets, 3) the platelet concentrations obtained, 4) the impact of the concentration of red and while blood cells on PRP actions, 5) platelet activators encouraging platelet degranulation and, hence, the release of growth factors, and 6) the use or nonuse of local anesthetics when carrying out infiltration. In addition to these parameters, it may be interesting to analyze other variables such as 7) the use of ultrasound guidance during the injection with a view to determining the influence they have on potential recovery.

Disciplines :

Laboratory medicine & medical technology
Orthopedics, rehabilitation & sports medicine

Author, co-author :

Kaux, Jean-François ; Université de Liège > Département des sciences de la motricité > Médecine physique, réadaptation et traumatologie du sport

Emonds-Alt, Thibault ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Service de médecine de l'appareil locomoteur

Language :

English

Title :

The use of platelet-rich plasma to treat chronic tendinopathies: A technical analysis

Publication date :

May 2018

Journal title :

Platelets

ISSN :

0953-7104

eISSN :

1369-1635

Publisher :

Taylor & Francis, Abingdon, United Kingdom

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

213-227

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 31 July 2017

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1222 (36 by ULiège)

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1619 (25 by ULiège)

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