Key Takeaway
PRP reduces pain in chronic tendinopathy by 37% compared to controls, with lateral epicondylitis showing the strongest response
Summary
Meta-analysis examining PRP efficacy for various tendinopathies including lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, and rotator cuff disease. Focused on chronic cases that had failed conservative management.
Methods
- 18 RCTs included with 1,066 patients total
- Tendinopathies: lateral epicondylitis (8), patellar (3), Achilles (2), rotator cuff (5)
- Control groups: saline, corticosteroids, dry needling, whole blood
- Primary outcome: pain reduction on VAS
- Follow-up: 3-24 months
Key Results
- Overall pain reduction: 37% greater with PRP vs controls (p<0.001)
- Lateral epicondylitis: 46% pain reduction vs controls
- Patellar tendinopathy: 34% pain reduction
- Achilles tendinopathy: Mixed results (2 studies contradictory)
- Rotator cuff: Modest benefit, more research needed
- Effects persisted at 6-12 month follow-up
- Single injection less effective than multiple injections
Limitations
- Heterogeneous PRP preparation protocols
- Small sample sizes in individual studies
- Achilles tendon results inconclusive
- Concurrent rehabilitation protocols varied
- Publication bias possible
- Cost-effectiveness not evaluated