An early-exercise-mediated adverse reaction associated with platelet-rich plasma therapy.

Abstract

PRP is a well-established autologous therapy with several indications in the musculoskeletal spectrum with a few reported complications. PRP pathophysiologic mechanism remains unclear so cause-effect relationships are difficult to be established. To our knowledge, acute inflammatory reactions associated with intra-articular PRP injection have never been reported. We herein present a rare case of adverse reaction in a patient who exercised after only 16 hours from PRP therapy. She was admitted to hospital with sensation of fever, pain and inflammation of the knee 8 hours after the training session and 24 hours after last PRP injection. Laboratory studies did not reveal any infection sign. Once the clinical picture was resolved, the patient was able to resume previous activity level. In this case an early exercise-mediated stimulus may have played a role as a causative factor.