Achilles tendinopathy recovery after a single autologous PRP injection monitored by ultrasound

Abstract Background Achilles tendinopathy remains often chronic and rebel to a thorough conservative treatments. In this context, autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) could represent an interesting alternative. Methods This prospective, monocentric, descriptive study, conducted from January 2011 to May 2011, included 32 patients practicing sports at the competitive or amateur level and suffering from chronic Achilles tendinopathy diagnosed by ultrasound (US). The treatment consisted on a single injection of PRP directly into the Achilles tendon under US guidance. Hence, the cracks were gently filled without damaging the surrounding healthy tendon. PRP was systematically characterized before its administration. Tendon regeneration was followed using algofunctionnal testing and US examination at 1, 2, and 3 months post-injection. A satisfaction score was proposed at 6 and 12 months by phone call. Results Twenty-two patients (69%) at 1 month and 18 patients (88%) at 2 months were completely healed, associated with a widespread improvement of fibrillar echo-structure of the tendon and improvement reduction of the hypervascularity during power Doppler examination at 3 months. Of the 22 responses collected to the end of the protocol, 14 patients declared a complete improvement in term of satisfaction with a significant reduction of pain ( P P Conclusions A single autologous PRP injection was effective in the treatment of rebel Achilles tendinopathy. US guidance allows PRP injection directly into the degenerated part of the tendon with great accuracy.