The Value of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Chronic Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy: a Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial
Summary
Introduction- Overuse injury of the Achilles tendon is a common entity in athletes and older athletes are at an increased risk. When the exact origin of tendon pain is unclear, the term tendinopathy is preferred. Most accepted treatment at this moment is an eccentric exercise programme, according to the Dutch guidelines. However, a recent systematic review on the effectiveness of eccentric exercises to treat lower extremity tendinoses concluded that it is unclear whether eccentric exercises are more effective than other forms of treatment.
Recent studies described new treatment strategies in tendinopathies, such as the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Platelets can participate actively in tissue repair processes and stimulate the release of several growth factors. Recently, it was found that platelet-rich plasma clot releasate stimulates cell proliferation, collagen deposition, and enhances the gene expression of matrix degrading enzymes and endogenous growth factors by human tendon cells in vitro. The only published clinical cohort study in tendon research reported 93% reduction of pain for PRP-treated patients with chronic elbow tendinosis. Also on short term follow-up, the PRP injection was more beneficial than injection with an anaesthetic agent.
Aim- To monitor the potential clinical improvement of chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy after injection with PRP and to evaluate the recovery process in time using a new Ultrasonographic method (Ultrasonographic Tissue Characterisation).
Hypothesis: The average VISA-A score is higher in the patient group treated with eccentric exercise therapy in combination with a PRP injection in comparison with the group treated with a saline injection in combination with eccentric exercises.
Study population- In total, 54 patients with symptomatic Achilles tendinopathy will be included in the study.
Study design- The study will be a double-blind randomised single-centre clinical trial comparing 2 treatment groups. The researcher, the sports medicine physician and the patients will be blinded to the received therapy.
Therapy- All patients will perform a heavy load eccentric exercise programme, consisting of 180 repetitions daily. The patients will be randomised into 2 treatment groups: ultrasound guided intratendinous saline injection with eccentric exercises and ultrasound guided intratendinous PRP injection with eccentric exercises.
Follow-up- Follow-up (clinically and ultrasonographically) will be at 6, 12, 24 and 52 weeks. At 24 weeks, the researcher will be unblinded after the analysis of the preliminary data. The patients will remain blinded to the therapy until 52 weeks follow-up. At 52 weeks follow-up a second, blinded researcher will evaluate the patients using the primary and secondary outcome measurements.
Outcome measurements- Primary outcome measurement: VISA-A score, a validated instrument to detect the severity of symptoms in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. As secondary outcome measurements subjective patient satisfaction and return to sports will be rated. For the evaluation of tendon repair, Ultrasonographic Tissue Characterization (UTC) and Power Doppler ultrasound (PDU) will be performed. UTC was previously developed in horse tendons and provides quantitative information on tendon fiber alignment and the related ultra-structural integrity of the tendon tissue through a non-invasive approach.
Study Design
Allocation: Randomized, Control: Placebo Control, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment
Conditions
Achilles Tendinopathy
Intervention
PRP Injection with eccentric exercises, Placebo Injection with eccentric exercises
Location
Erasmus Medical Center
Rotterdam
Netherlands
Status
Completed
Source
Biomet, Inc.
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00761423
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Hypophysectomy, Chemical
Total or subtotal destruction of the pituitary gland by chemical injection. It is usually achieved by injection of ethyl alcohol via trans-sphenoidal cannulation under stereotaxic control. It is usually performed for the treatment of intractable pain.
Shwartzman Phenomenon
Hemorrhagic necrosis that was first demonstrated in rabbits with a two-step reaction, an initial local (intradermal) or general (intravenous) injection of a priming endotoxin (ENDOTOXINS) followed by a second intravenous endotoxin injection (provoking agent) 24 h later. The acute inflammation damages the small blood vessels. The following intravascular coagulation leads to capillary and venous THROMBOSIS and NECROSIS. Shwartzman phenomenon can also occur in other species with a single injection of a provoking agent, and during infections or pregnancy. Its susceptibility depends on the status of IMMUNE SYSTEM, coagulation, FIBRINOLYSIS, and blood flow.
Flow Injection Analysis
The analysis of a chemical substance by inserting a sample into a carrier stream of reagent using a sample injection valve that propels the sample downstream where mixing occurs in a coiled tube, then passes into a flow-through detector and a recorder or other data handling device.
Kveim Test
Intradermal injection of a heated (pasteurized) saline suspension of sarcoid tissue obtained from a sarcoid spleen or lymph node. In patients with active sarcoidosis a dusky red nodule develops slowly over the next few weeks at the injection site. Histologic examination, an essential part of the complete test, reveals sarcoid tissue.
Breathing Exercises
Therapeutic exercises aimed to deepen inspiration or expiration or even to alter the rate and rhythm of respiration.
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