title: Outcomes after ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injections for chronic tendinopathy: a multicenter, retrospective review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are an effective treatment for chronic tendinopathies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective, cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four academic sports medicine centers from across the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 180 men and women between the ages of 18 and 75 years who received ultrasound-guided PRP injections for tendinopathy refractory to conventional treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey on satisfaction and functional outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perceived improvement in symptoms at least 6 months after treatment, perceived change in visual analog scale score, assessment of functional pain, and overall satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average, patients were 48 years old, had symptoms for a median of 18 months before treatment, and answered the survey on average 15 months after treatment. Overall, 82% of patients indicated moderate to complete improvement in symptoms. The most common injection sites were the lateral epicondyle, Achilles, and patellar tendons. Other sites treated included the rotator cuff, hamstring, gluteus medius, and medial epicondyle, among others. Furthermore, 60% of patients received only 1 injection, 30% received 2 injections, and 10% received 3 or more injections. Patients' perceived decrease in visual analog scale score was 75%, from 7.0 ± 1.8 to 1.8 ± 2.0 (-5.2, SD 2.7, 95% confidence interval -5.65 to -4.86, P < .0001). In addition, at follow-up, 95% of patients reported having no pain at rest that disrupted their activities of daily living and 68% reported no pain during activities. A total of 85% of patients were satisfied with the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this retrospective study, in which we evaluated administration of PRP for chronic tendinopathy, we found that the majority of patients reported a moderate (>50%) improvement in pain symptoms.
authors: Emory Orthopedic & Spine Center, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. kmautne@emory.edu
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Mautner
authors: Ricardo E
authors: RE
authors: Colberg
authors: Gerard
authors: G
authors: Malanga
authors: Joanne P
authors: JP
authors: Borg-Stein
authors: Kimberly G
authors: KG
authors: Harmon
authors: Aisha S
authors: AS
authors: Dharamsi
authors: Samuel
authors: S
authors: Chu
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Homer
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000628:therapy*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional