Platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of equine orthopaedic disease

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma is a blood-derived, autologous product, which contains a mixture of growth factors, cells and cytokines. These substances are integral in the regulation of the inflammatory process and repair of tissues, although their methods of action are highly complex and not fully elucidated. The content of a platelet-rich plasma product is variable and the optimal concentrations of prime constituents such as platelets, growth factors and leucocytes are not known. A lack of uniformity of products and treatment protocols, along with study design limitations, means that the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in healing tendon and ligament injuries is yet to be proven or disproven. Nevertheless platelet-rich plasma has gained widespread use in clinical practice primarily for the treatment of these injuries, among other applications. There are no widespread published or anecdotal concerns over the safety of platelet-rich plasma; however, synovial fluid analysis reveals an acute inflammatory response following intra-articular injection of a leucocyte-rich product.