Applications of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach

This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current literature that pertains to the therapeutic use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The basic science literature regarding the role of growth factors in mediating the healing process and the laboratory data from in vitro and in vivo studies that evaluated PRP are reviewed. Subsequently, the current evidence regarding PRP efficacy from animal models, human surgical studies, and human clinical studies is presented. A critical analysis of the literature follows, and the article concludes with the authors' perspectives on the state of PRP as a potentially efficacious bioregenerative treatment option for musculoskeletal and sports medicine applications. The relevant articles in this review were obtained via PubMed literature searches for PRP publications that pertain to musculoskeletal and sports medicine conditions. This article is not intended to be a formal meta-analysis. PM R 2011;3:226-250