Most Orthopaedic Platelet-Rich Plasma Investigations Don’t Report Protocols and Composition: An Updated Systematic Review

Abstract

PurposeTo systematically review the literature to assess heterogeneity of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparation and composition reporting for the treatment of musculoskeletal/orthopaedic pathologies. MethodsA systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify Level I and Level II studies from 2016 to 2022 that evaluated the utilization of PRP therapy for musculoskeletal pathologies. The search phrase used was “platelet-rich plasma clinical studies”. Studies were assessed based on their reporting of the PRP preparation methods and reporting of PRP composition. ResultsOne-hundred and twenty-four studies (in one-hundred and twenty articles) met inclusion criteria for analysis. Of these studies, 15 (12.1%) provided comprehensive reporting including a clear, well-described, and reproducible preparation protocol that future investigators can follow. Thirty-three studies (26.6%) quantitatively reported the final PRP product composition. ConclusionAmong the studies utilizing PRP for treatment of musculoskeletal/orthopaedic pathologies, less than 20% provided a clear, well-described, and reproducible PRP preparation protocol, and only one-fourth of studies reported on the final PRP product composition.