Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is becoming a popular treatment for muscle strains, arthritis/cartilage injuries, and tendinopathies, but the evidence behind its’ use is limited. Specifically there is a lack of large human trials with randomization to both placebo injections and alternative treatments. Consistent with alternative treatments PRP’s clinical utilization is outpacing the evidence leaving many more questions than answers. To date there is insufficient research to advocate for injections into injured tendons and in some cases (corticosteroid) authors have argued the risks outweigh the benefits. A recent research article highlights a risk of PRP.
A case report published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine highlights a risk on the utilization of PRP for sports injuries (Redler et al. 2018). Authors describe a single patient with a degenerative patellar tendinopathy treated with a series of 4 PRP injections. Upon subsequent surgical examination authors reported a complete rupture in the patellar tendon with significant degeneration is the surrounding tendon. Although the results of this report must be taken in consideration due to its’ methodology, including a single patient, the authors state this report questions both the effectiveness and safety of using this injection in patients with severe tendinopathy.