Medical Student Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine - - Scranton, PA AVOCA, Pennsylvania, United States
Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in enhancing functional outcomes, pain management, and healing rates in meniscal repair.
Design: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and clinical studies.
Results: PRP augmentation showed improvements in functional scores such as Lysholm and KOOS total scores. A meta-analysis of 431 participants reported better Lysholm scores (MD: 3.06, P < .0001) and VAS scores (SMD: -0.40, P = .002). Some studies found no significant differences in IKDC scores or Lysholm knee scales between PRP-augmented and non-augmented repairs. PRP showed a reduced failure rate with an odds ratio of 0.64 (P = 0.03), though another systematic review involving 1164 participants found insufficient evidence for significant long-term healing rate improvements. PRP provided effective short- to medium-term pain relief, but limited long-term pain relief beyond 12 months. No significant adverse events were reported, indicating PRP's safety.
Conclusions: PRP may reduce failure rates, improve functional scores, and provide short-term pain relief in meniscal repair. However, evidence is mixed regarding long-term efficacy in functional outcomes and healing rates. Further high-quality RCTs with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to standardize treatment protocols and clarify PRP's role in meniscal injury management.
