Platelet Rich Plasma use in Allograft ACL Reconstructions: Two-Year Clinical Results of a MOON Cohort Study

BACKGROUND:

Platelet rich plasma has been promoted as a biologic agent to enhance tissue healing. As a concentration of autologous growth factors, it has gained increased use in musculoskeletal applications.

METHODS:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intra-operative PRP on patient-reported outcomes 2 years after ACL reconstruction with tibialis anterior allograft. Fifty patients who underwent allograft ACL reconstruction with intra-operative application of PRP to the graft were matched with 50 allograft ACL -reconstructions without PRP use. The same surgeon performed all procedures with identical technique. Two year patient-reported outcomes including KOOS, IKDC, and Marx activity scores were obtained. Effusions in the immediate post-operative period, post-operative complications, and any subsequent procedures were also recorded.

RESULTS:

There was no difference between the groups with respect to additional surgeries or complications in the first 2 years after reconstruction. Decreased effusions at 10 ± 4 days were noted in the PRP group, but this difference disappeared by 8 ± 4 weeks. No differences in patient-reported outcomes were noted in the 58 patients with two-year outcome data.

CONCLUSION:

The study demonstrated that although PRP application in tibialis allograft ACL reconstructions appeared safe; clinical benefit was minor and short-term. No differences in patient-reported outcomes or number of additional surgeries at 2 years were noted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Level III – retrospective comparative study.