Assessment of the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Traumatic Canine Fractures.

José M Vilar,Joaquín J Sopena,José M Carrillo,Elena Damià,Belén Cuervo,Mónica Rubio,Sergio López,Deborah Chicharro

doi:10.3390/ijms20051075

Abstract

The role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in promoting the healing of bone fractures has not yet been clearly stated. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF, a PRP derivate) in the treatment of naturally-occurring bone fractures in dogs. With this objective, sixty-five dogs with radius/ulna or tibia/fibula bone fractures were randomly divided into two groups (PRGF and saline solution (SS) groups) and checked at days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 60, 63, 70, 120, and 180. All the fractures were treated with an external skeletal fixation, and pain was controlled with Carprofen. Healing was evaluated by physical examination, limb function, radiography, and by a Likert-type owner satisfaction questionnaire. A faster fracture healing was observed in the PRGF group, with statistically significant differences with respect to the SS group. Swelling at the fracture site was significantly greater at day 14 and 28 in animals injected with PRGF, and more pain on palpation was found in the area at day 28. The injection of PRGF in acute bone fractures accelerates bone healing.

Highlights

Plasma-rich growth factors (PRGF) are currently being used to promote bone healing in reconstructive surgeries [1,2,3]
The use of PRGF is based on the assumption that higher platelet concentrations release significant quantities of growth factors, which aids in bone healing [9,10,11]
The beneficial effect of PRGF in acute ulna/radius and tibia/fibula fracture healing has been proven, achieving a faster healing compared with controls

Summary

Introduction

Plasma-rich growth factors (PRGF) are currently being used to promote bone healing in reconstructive surgeries [1,2,3]. Platelets are very important in the wound healing process [1]; they rapidly arrive at the wound side and begin the coagulation process. They release multiple wound-healing growth factors and cytokines within 10 min [1,2,3]. The use of PRGF is based on the assumption that higher platelet concentrations release significant quantities of growth factors, which aids in bone healing [9,10,11]. Growth factors are thought to be a contributing factor in bone regeneration and in increasing vascularization, which are vital features of the bone-healing process [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion