Initial PRP injection likely more effective in healing than subsequent injections (Healio)
Subsequent injections of platelet-rich plasma have been shown to be less effective than the initial application in cell healing among a healthy volunteer group, according to recently published data.
Researchers injected eight volunteers (mean age: 31.6 years) with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) three different times in 2- and 4-day intervals. Volunteers were divided into groups based on whether the PRP they received was created via a single- or double-spin process. Recovery and healing in human tenocytes were evaluated via radioactive thymiding assay measuring cell disintegration rates per minute.
Significant differences in cell disintegration rates per minute were noted between days 0 and 2 in those who received treatments in 2-day intervals and between days 4 and 8 for those receiving treatments in 4-day intervals in the single-spin PRPcohort. The PRP double-spin cohort also demonstrated significant differences in cell disintegration rates per minute for those treated in 2-day (from days 0 to 4 and days 2 to 4) and 4-day (from days 0-8) intervals, according to the researchers.
The researchers concluded that the effect of PRP diminished with repeated application, which leads to questioning the efficacy of interval dosing. – by Christian Ingram
Disclosure: Mazzocca is a paid consultant for Arthrex. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.