Infiltrazioni intra-articolari con fattori di crescita:“overview” delle diverse tecniche e utilizzo negli sportivi

Abstract

KGrowth factors are a heterogeneous group of proteins (peptides) that have a brief half-life and disappear quickly from circulation. In the latest years, different techniques for concentrating human growth factors have been developed, such as the systems that concentrate platelets, commonly called “platelet-rich plasma” or “PRP”. The idea behind PRP is that concentrating these factors in a certain area will help accelerate healing. A critical difference is found in the leukocyte content of the preparation. The presence of neutrophil leukocytes can damage muscle tissue through the release of cytokines that increase inflammation and destroy the tissue. PRP application in sports is very important on tendon, joint and muscle lesions. Postoperative infiltration after surgical repair of the Achilles’ tendon increases the regeneration speed and the strength of the tendon. In tendonopathies, the ultrasound-guided local application seems to reduce inflammation and accelerate the lesion’s healing process. Intra-articularly, it seems to have positive effects in re-establishing hyaluronic acid concentration and promoting angiogenesis. This discovery is still in the initial stages of research and needs further scientific confirmation. Previous reports of the treatment of muscle lesions with ultrasound-guided PRP infiltrations have demonstrated full recovery of functional capacity in half the standard healing time. Therefore, PRP treatment may be a good therapeutic option with little or no side effects along with encouraging clinical results, even if further scientific information is still needed.