title: Tendinopathies and platelet-rich plasma (PRP): from pre-clinical experiments to therapeutic use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The restorative properties of platelets, through the local release of growth factors, are used in various medical areas. This article reviews fundamental and clinical research relating to platelet-rich plasma applied to tendinous lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles in French and English, published between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2014. dealing with PRP and tendons were searched for using the Medline and Scopus data bases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-seven articles were identified which addressed pre-clinical and clinical studies: 27 relating to in vitro and in vivo animal studies and 20 relating to human studies. Of these, five addressed lateral epicondylitis, two addressed rotator cuff tendinopathies, ten dealt with patellar tendinopathies and three looked at Achilles tendinopathies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of pre-clinical studies show that PRP stimulates the tendon's healing process. However, clinical series remain more controversial and level 1, controlled, randomised studies are still needed.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Sports Traumatology Department, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Kaux
authors.affiliation: ULg-GIGA-R, Experimental Surgery, University of Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Drion
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Service, Department of Motility Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Croisier
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Sports Traumatology Department, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Crielaard
keywords: Growth Factors; PRP; Platelet-rich Plasma; Tendinopathy