Comparison of Outcomes in Application of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) in Medial Collateral Ligament Recovery: An Animal Study.

BACKGROUND

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of the most commonly injured ligaments in the knee, accounting for 40% of all knee injuries. Autologous platelet concentrate, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), has been proposed as a novel therapy in ligament injury.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of PRP and PRF in recovery after MCL injury.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

This study was a randomized, single-blind, in vivo study on MCL injury in Wistar rats (). Rats that were sick, had a decrease in body weight of >10% after adaptation in the laboratory, or died were excluded. A total of 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (n=10) received no intervention, group 2 (n=7) received PRP, and group 3 (n=10) received PRF. The variables that were investigated included tensile strength and histopathological appearance. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 using the appropriate test based on the variable.

RESULTS

This study found that there was a significant difference in tensile strength across all groups ( = .004), with a significantly higher value in the PRF group compared with the PRP group (mean difference, 2.76; = .003). There was no significant correlation between tensile strength and ligament length ( = .34). Based on the histopathological data, this study found that PRF resulted in a higher amount of collagen cell orientation when compared with PRP and control ( = .049).

CONCLUSION

This study found that PRF was associated with greater tensile strength when compared with PRP and control. However, more studies with a longer observation period and further trials, especially in humans, should be conducted to confirm this finding.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

PRF injection can be a novel therapy consideration for ligament injury, with a better result in both function and histological appearance when compared with PRP.