SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
Bibliography — PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Mechanism of Action & Biology
- 1. Everts PA, Onishi K, Jayaram P, Lana JF, Mautner K. Platelet-rich plasma: new performance understandings and therapeutic considerations in 2020. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(20):7794. doi:10.3390/ijms21207794 (Classic review of growth factor mechanisms — PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF, IGF-1)
- 2. Foster TE, Puskas BL, Mandelbaum BR, Gerhardt MB, Rodeo SA. Platelet-rich plasma: from basic science to clinical applications. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2009;37(11):2259–2272. doi:10.1177/0363546509349921 (Fundamental review of PRP biology)
Meta-analyses & Systematic Reviews — Knee Osteoarthritis
- 3. Boffa A, et al. PRP Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: The Improvement Is Clinically Significant and Influenced by Platelet Concentration: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. doi:10.1177/03635465241309664 (18 placebo-controlled RCTs, N=1,995 patients — the most recent and robust meta-analysis vs. placebo)
- 4. Costa LAV, Lenza M, Irrgang JJ, Fu FH, Ferretti M. How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Compare Clinically to Other Therapies in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023;51(4):1074–1086. doi:10.1177/03635465211062243 (40 RCTs, N=3,035 patients)
- 5. Xu Z, et al. Efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Medicine. 2023;10:1204144. doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1204144
- 6. Kim JH, Park YB, Ha CW, Roh YJ, Park JG. Adverse Reactions and Clinical Outcomes for Leukocyte-Poor Versus Leukocyte-Rich Platelet-Rich Plasma in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021;9(6). doi:10.1177/23259671211011948
RCTs — Comparing PRP vs Hyaluronic Acid / Cortisone
- 7. Shen L, et al. Platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2017. (Confirmation of PRP superiority vs. HA at 6 months)
- 8. Nunes-Tamashiro JC, et al. Intra-articular injection with platelet-rich plasma compared to triamcinolone hexacetonide or saline solution in knee osteoarthritis: a double blinded randomized controlled trial with one year follow-up. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2022;36(6):900–915. doi:10.1177/02692155221090407
Tendinopathies
- 9. Nadeau-Vallée M, et al. Platelet-rich plasma injections as a second-line treatment in patients with tendinopathy-related chronic pain and failure of conservative treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain Med. 2025 Jul 1;26(7):407-419. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaf022
- 10. Xu F, et al. A systematic review on the efficacy of different types of platelet-rich plasma in the management of lateral epicondylitis. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2022. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2022.03.021 (33 studies, N=2,420 patients — LP-PRP vs. LR-PRP in epicondylitis)
- 11. Chen Z, et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma Has Better Results for Long-term Functional Improvement and Pain Relief for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2024. doi:10.1177/03635465231225803 (PRP vs. Cortisone — PRP superior long-term ≥6 months)
- 12. Elsiddig A, et al. Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2025 Feb 26;17(2):e7969
- 13. Fitzpatrick J, Bulsara M, Zheng MH. The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of tendinopathy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017;45(1):226–233. doi:10.1177/0363546516643716
Administration Protocol — Number of Sessions
- 14. He WW, et al. Three Doses of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Are More Effective Than One Dose of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Arthroscopy. 2023. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2023.05.022 (7 RCTs — 3 doses superior to 1 dose)
Safety
- 15. Anna A, Morikuni T. Adverse events related to platelet-rich plasma therapy and future issues to be resolved. Regenerative Therapy. 2024;26:496–501. (Review of PRP adverse events)