Platelet rich plasma use in allograft ACL reconstructions: Two-year clinical results of a MOON cohort study

Background: Platelet rich plasma has been promoted as a biologic agent to enhance tissue healing. As a concentration of autologous growth factors, it has gained increased use in musculoskeletal applications. Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intra-operative PRP on patient-reported outcomes 2. years after ACL reconstruction with tibialis anterior allograft. Fifty patients who underwent allograft ACL reconstruction with intra-operative application of PRP to the graft were matched with 50 allograft ACL -reconstructions without PRP use. The same surgeon performed all procedures with identical technique. Two year patient-reported outcomes including KOOS, IKDC, and Marx activity scores were obtained. Effusions in the immediate post-operative period, post-operative complications, and any subsequent procedures were also recorded. Results: There was no difference between the groups with respect to additional surgeries or complications in the first 2. years after reconstruction. Decreased effusions at 10. ±. 4. days were noted in the PRP group, but this difference disappeared by 8. ±. 4. weeks. No differences in patient-reported outcomes were noted in the 58 patients with two-year outcome data. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that although PRP application in tibialis allograft ACL reconstructions appeared safe; clinical benefit was minor and short-term. No differences in patient-reported outcomes or number of additional surgeries at 2. years were noted. Level of evidence: Level III - retrospective comparative study.