For more than a decade now, platelet rich plasma has been used to treat chronic tennis elbow. A recently published review article in Hand Clinics reviewed the literature for the use of PRP in the upper extremity. It was concluded that multiple controlled trials support the use of PRP for tennis elbow. The literature supporting the its use for rotator cuff tears, however, was not yet conclusive. (See Abstract Below)
PRP Injection into left elbow
Hand Clin. 2012 Nov;28(4):481-91. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2012.08.008.
Platelet-rich plasma and the upper extremity.
Source
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Menlo Medical Clinic, Stanford University Medical Center, 1300 Crane Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA.
Abstract
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a fraction of whole blood containing powerful growth factors and cytokines. Preclinical studies suggest PRP may be useful for tendon repair or regeneration. Clinical investigations have focused on the treatment of chronic lateral epicondylar tendinopathy and rotator cuff pathology. Multiple controlled studies support the use of PRP for chronic tennis elbow. Rotator cuff studies, however, have produced conflicting results based on PRP formulation, surgical technique, and size of tendon tear. This article explores the scientific rational for using PRP, its various formulations, and the emerging clinical data. Future potential applications are also explored.
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