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Anatomic ACL reconstruction: does the platelet-rich plasma accelerate tendon healing?

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Recently, the use of hamstring tendons in anterior cruciate ligament repair has been increasing. However, tendon-to-bone healing occurs slowly, which can be a problem to an early return to sport activities. The use of growth factors from platelets seems to improve tissue healing. We enrolled 40 patients in a prospective study that were submitted to an anatomic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. Patients were sequentially enrolled into four groups: group A without platelet-rich plasma (PRP); group B with PRP in femoral tunnels at the end of surgery; group C with PRP in femoral tunnels at the end of surgery and intra-articular at 2- and 4 weeks after surgery; group D with PRP activated with thrombin in the femoral tunnels. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the knee 3 months after surgery to evaluate the signal intensity of the fibrous interzone (FIZ) in the femoral tunnels. We did not find any difference among the groups when comparing the signal intensity of the FIZ on magnetic resonance imaging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Military Hospital D. Pedro V, Avenida da Boavista, 4050-113, Porto, Portugal

    Alcindo Silva & Ricardo Sampaio

  2. Rua Amadeu de Sousa Cardoso, 106, 2 Dto, 4150-065, Porto, Portugal

    Ricardo Sampaio

Authors
  1. Alcindo Silva
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  2. Ricardo Sampaio
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Correspondence to Alcindo Silva.

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Silva, A., Sampaio, R. Anatomic ACL reconstruction: does the platelet-rich plasma accelerate tendon healing?. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 17, 676–682 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-0762-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-0762-8

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