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Platelet-rich Plasma Does Not Reduce Blood Loss or Pain or Improve Range of Motion After TKA

  • Symposium: Papers Presented at the Annual Meetings of The Knee Society
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Abstract

Background

Numerous reports suggest the application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) during TKA may decrease postoperative bleeding. Because excessive bleeding can increase postoperative pain and inflammation, use of PRP also reportedly decreases the need for narcotics and increases speed of recovery after TKA. Because previous investigations of PRP and TKA reflect a weak level of medical evidence, we sought to confirm these findings.

Questions/purposes

We asked whether an intraoperative application of PRP gel to the deep wound reduced postoperative bleeding after TKA.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all 134 patients who received an intraoperative application of PRP during TKA from November 2009 to April 2010 and all 139 patients undergoing TKA who did not receive PRP between September 2009 to November 2009. Patients’ charts were reviewed to identify detailed data, including hemoglobin level, ROM, postoperative narcotic use, and length of hospital stay. Blood loss was determined by the hemoglobin drop on postoperative Day 2.

Results

The blood loss between study groups was similar (3.6 g/dL [study] versus 3.8 g/dL [controls]). Differences in passive ROM (88° versus 88°), narcotic requirement (27 versus 32 morphine equivalent), and length of stay (2.4 versus 2.6 days) were also similar.

Conclusion

We found no clinically important differences in patients who received an intraoperative application of PRP compared with patients who did not receive PRP and therefore could not confirm the findings of previous studies.

Level of Evidence

Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Research, Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Timothy M. DiIorio MD

  2. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Justin D. Burkholder BS

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA, USA

    Robert P. Good MD

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 925 Chestnut Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Javad Parvizi MD & Peter F. Sharkey MD

Authors
  1. Timothy M. DiIorio MD
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  2. Justin D. Burkholder BS
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  3. Robert P. Good MD
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  4. Javad Parvizi MD
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  5. Peter F. Sharkey MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter F. Sharkey MD.

Additional information

Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Each author certifies that his or her institution approved the human protocol for this investigation and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.

This work was performed at Riddle Memorial Hospital, Media, PA, USA.

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DiIorio, T.M., Burkholder, J.D., Good, R.P. et al. Platelet-rich Plasma Does Not Reduce Blood Loss or Pain or Improve Range of Motion After TKA. Clin Orthop Relat Res 470, 138–143 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-011-1972-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-011-1972-1

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