JAMA Netw Open

Platelet-rich plasma after ACL reconstruction: Disappointing trial results

May 16, 2024

Among 120 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) at a national medical center in China, the addition of post-op intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection didn't result in superior improvement of knee symptoms and function at 12 months compared with no post-op injection.

• In this randomized clinical trial, the intervention group (n=60) received 3 doses of post-op intra-articular PRP injection at monthly intervals, and the control group (n=60) received no injection.
• Between-group difference in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS₄) at 12 months wasn't statistically significant.
• Among the 120 randomized participants (mean age, 29.0 years; 70% male), 114 (95%) were available for the primary outcome analysis. Mean KOOS₄ scores at 12 months were 78.3 in the PRP group and 76.8 in the control group (adjusted mean between-group difference, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, −2.3 to 6.3; P = 0.36).
• Secondary outcomes weren't statistically significantly different between the 2 groups except for sports and recreation level and graft maturity at 6 months.
• Intervention-related adverse events included pain at the injection site and knee swelling after injection.

Source:

Ye Z, et al. (2024, May 1). JAMA Netw Open. Intra-Articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38728032/