Topical use of platelet-rich plasma can improve the clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 1316 patients

Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Facet Mediated Low Back Pain: A Comprehensive Review

Background

Facet-mediated pain is a major cause of low back pain and as a result, is a significant cause of morbidity, including disability and reduced functionality.

Setting

The present investigation involved a PubMed literature review between June 1, and 2021-January 1, 2022.

Methods

We systematically reviewed was carried Pubmed using the search terms "platelet-rich plasma", "inflammatory mediators", "facet arthropathy", "axial back pain", and "leukoreduction". Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by 3 independent reviewers. Out of the studies analyzed 2 were retrospective, while 1 was a prospective study.

Results

PRP injections for facet mediated or modulated pain are an alternative to conventional pharmacotherapies and interventional injections/radiofrequency. There are limited numbers of studies in world literature at present.

Limitations

Small number of articles in the world literature and small numbers of patients in those published studies.

Conclusions

At present, there are limited studies in the literature; however, larger well-designed studies are warranted to precisely understand efficacy, potential side effects and best practice techniques for PRP injections for facet mediated or modulated pain.

The Application of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Patients Following Total Joint Replacement: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Systematic Review

Background

The clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of total joint replacement (TJR) remains inconclusive. In this paper, systematic review and meta-analysis was adopted to assess the efficacy of using PRP for the treatment of TJR.

Methods

A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library databases for randomized controlled trial (RCT) articles recording data of PRP for TJR was conducted from inception to February 2022. Outcomes concerned were pain, range of motion (ROM), WOMAC score, length of hospital stay (LOS), hemoglobin (Hb) drop, total blood loss, wound healing rate, and wound infection. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was evaluated by using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 (RoB 2.0). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was utilized to assess the level of evidence for the outcomes. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to the type of TJR.

Results

Ten RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. In the TKA subgroup, the available data demonstrated that there were significant differences in the outcomes of pain and Hb drop, while it was the opposite of ROM, WOMAC score, LOS, total blood loss, wound healing rate, and wound infection. In the THA subgroup, no significant differences could be seen between two groups in the outcomes of LOS and wound infection. However, the PRP group gained a higher wound healing rate in the THA subgroup.

Conclusion

The application of PRP did not reduce blood loss but improved the wound healing rate. However, more prospective and multicenter studies are warranted to confirm these results.

Apheresis Platelet Rich-Plasma for Regenerative Medicine: An In Vitro Study on Osteogenic Potential

Background: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) induces bone regeneration; however, there is low evidence supporting its efficacy in bone healing. The lack of a standardized protocol of administration represents the main obstacle to its use in the clinical routine for bone defects’ treatment. The purpose of this study was to characterize PRP and elucidate its osteogenic potential. Methods: Platelet count, fibrinogen levels, and growth factors concentration were measured in PRP obtained by four apheresis procedures. HOB-01-C1, a pre-osteocytic cell line, was used to examine the effects of different PRP dilutions (from 1% to 50%) on cell viability, growth, and differentiation. Gene expression of RUNX2, PHEX, COL1A1, and OCN was also assayed. Results: PRP showed a mean 4.6-fold increase of platelets amount compared to whole blood. Among the 36 proteins evaluated, we found the highest concentrations for PDGF isoforms, EGF, TGF-β and VEGF-D. PDGF-AA positively correlated with platelet counts. In three of the four tested units, 25% PRP induced a growth rate comparable to the positive control (10% FBS); whereas, for all the tested units, 10% PRP treatment sustained differentiation. Conclusions: This study showed that PRP from apheresis stimulates proliferation and differentiation of pre-osteocyte cells through the release of growth factors from platelets.

Technical Procedures for Preparation and Administration of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Related Products: A Scoping Review

Introduction

Platelet-rich plasma is widely used for different types of clinical situations, but universal standardization of procedures for its preparation is still lacking.

Methods

Scoping review of comparative studies that have assessed at least two alternatives in one or more stages of preparation, storage and/or administration of PRP or its related products. A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS. Two authors screened references independently. Data extraction was performed iteratively, and results were presented for each included comparison.

Results

Thirty-nine studies were included after assessing full texts, focusing on the comparison of PRP to a related product, types of anticoagulants, centrifugation protocols, commercial kits, processing time, methods for activation, and application concomitantly to other substances. Only laboratory outcomes were assessed, as platelet, leukocyte and growth factor concentrations.

Conclusion

Results showed great variability related to methods employed in different stages of PRP processing, which may explain the variability observed in clinical trials assessing the efficacy of PRP for different clinical situations.

PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP) AND TRANEXAMIC ACID (TXA) APPLIED IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and tranexamic acid (TXA) applied in total knee arthroplasty.

Methods:

We selected and randomized 84 patients. TXA was applied in 23 patients, PRP in 20, and PRP in combination with TXA in 20. Hemoglobin was measured preoperatively and 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The function questionnaire, pain scale and gain of knee flexion were monitored until the second postoperative year.

Results:

There was a difference (p <0.01) in the decrease in hemoglobin 48 hours after surgery between the TXA group and the control and PRP groups. In terms of pain, the TXA group at 24 and 48 hours after surgery and the PRP group at 48 hours after surgery showed advantages (p <0.01). Knee flexion gain in the first 24 hours postoperatively was better in the TXA group (p <0.05).

Conclusion:

TXA was effective in lowering the drop in hemoglobin level, reducing pain and improving movement gain 48 hours after the procedure. PRP was not effective in reducing bleeding or improving knee function after arthroplasty, but provided better control of postoperative pain. Level of Evidence I, Randomized, blinded, prospective clinical trial.

Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Low Back Pain: a Comprehensive Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Back pain is a growing problem worldwide, incurring enormous economic costs and disability. Current treatment modalities often provide adequate relief but fail to address underlying conditions. Regenerative cellular modalities aim to restore anatomical function in degenerative conditions which may cause low back pain. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) consists of an increased concentration of autologous platelets suspended in a small amount of plasma. PRP can be administered via injection or topically and is prepared using various techniques.

RECENT FINDINGS

While a unifying mechanism of action is not well understood, biochemical and cellular changes involved in inflammation and mechanical structure have been detected in both in vitro and in vivo studies. At a higher level, PRP injection research utilizing animal models and patient data have provided insights into pain relief, chondroprotection, and factors that impact the therapy's efficacy. Recently, a small number of studies have promoted PRP injection as a relatively safe means of treating patients with degenerative disc disease who have failed other means of managing their lower back pain. PRP injections for sacroiliac joint-related pain are not an accepted or common treatment modality; the evidence for their efficacy remains to be seen outside of small RCTs and case reports. A small number of prospective trials have suggested there may be some benefit to using PRP injection in the treatment of pain or functional decline caused by facet joint arthropathy. These commonly used modalities require further study to improve quality of evidence and to investigate the safety and efficacy of PRP injections for various common causes of chronic low back.

The Effects of Hyperacute Serum on the Elements of the Human Subchondral Bone Marrow Niche

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in laboratory experiments as well as in human cell therapy. Their culture requires animal sera like fetal calf serum (FCS) as essential supplementation; however, animal sera pose a risk for clinical applications. Human blood derivatives, for example, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) releasates, are potential replacements of FCS; however, it is unclear which serum variant has the best effect on the given cell or tissue type. Additionally, blood derivatives are commonly used in musculoskeletal diseases like osteoarthritis (OA) or osteonecrosis as “proliferative agents” for the topical MSC pool. Hyperacute serum (HAS), a new serum derivative, has been designed to approximate the natural coagulation cascade with a single-step, additive-free preparation method. We investigated the effects of HAS on monolayer MSC cultures and in their natural niche, in 3D subchondral bone and marrow explants. Viability measurements, RT-qPCR evaluation for gene expression and flow cytometry for cell surface marker analysis were performed to compare the effects of FCS-, PRP-, or HAS-supplemented culture media. Monolayer MSCs showed significantly higher metabolic activity following 5 days' incubation in HAS, and osteoblast-specific mRNA expression was markedly increased, while cells also retained their MSC-specific cell surface markers. A similar effect was observed on bone and marrow explants, which was further confirmed with confocal microscopy analysis. Moreover, markedly higher bone marrow preservation was observed with histology in case of HAS supplementation compared to FCS. These findings indicate possible application of HAS in regenerative solutions of skeletal diseases like OA or osteonecrosis.

Platelet-rich plasma for the therapeutic management of temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review

This systematic review aimed to investigate whether intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are beneficial for the treatment of degenerative temporomandibular disorders, such as temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) and disc displacement with osteoarthritic lesions, when compared to other treatments, such as injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) or saline. An electronic search of the MEDLINE and Scopus databases was performed using combinations of the terms "temporomandibular" and "platelet rich plasma", to identify studies reported in English and published up until May 2017. A hand-search of relevant journals and the reference lists of selected articles was also performed. The initial screening identified 153 records, of which only six fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Of these studies, three compared PRP with HA, while three compared PRP with Ringer's lactate or saline. Four of the studies found PRP injections to be superior in terms of improvements in mandibular range of motion and pain intensity up to 12 months after treatment, while the remaining two studies found similar results for the different treatments. There is slight evidence for the potential benefits of intra-articular injections of PRP in patients with TMJ-OA. However, a standardized protocol for PRP preparation and application needs to be established.

The effect of platelet-rich plasma on reducing blood loss after total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compared with control for preventing postoperative bleeding after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is controversial. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine whether PRP might reduce blood loss and improve function following TKA.

METHODS

PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify RCTs comparing PRP with control for patients undergoing unilateral TKA. The mean difference (MD) of total blood loss, hemoglobin (Hb) level, Hb drop, drain volume, range of motion (ROM), Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, length of hospital stay (LOS), and odds ratios of transfusion rate and postoperative complications in the PRP and control groups were pooled throughout the study. Relevant data were meta-analyzed using RevMan v5.3.

RESULTS

Six RCTs involving 529 patients were included (208 PRP vs. 321 controls). The application of PRP in TKA had a significantly less calculated total blood loss (MD = -98.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -153.63 to -42.59, P = .0005) and lower Hb drop (MD = -0.34; 95% CI: -0.59 to -0.09, P = .008) than the control in the early postoperative period while decreasing the LOS (MD = -2.12; 95% CI: -3.47 to -0.76, P = .002). No significant differences were seen in drain volume, Hb level, transfusion rate, ROM, WOMAC scores, and complications between the 2 groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis suggests that PRP appears to be effective in reducing postoperative blood loss and lowering Hb drop without increasing the risks of postoperative complications after TKA. However, owing to the variation of included studies, no firm conclusions can be drawn.