THE ROLE OF PLATELET RICH PLASMA IN CARTILAGE REPAIR

Ankle osteoarthritis is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the ankle joint. Traditional treatments like joint fusion can limit mobility. An alternative procedure called ankle distraction arthroplasty has been gaining some traction, but how well does it hold up in the long term? 

A recent study by Greenfield et al. (2019) investigated this very question. They conducted a survival analysis of ankle distraction arthroplasty for ankle osteoarthritis. Their findings suggest that this procedure may be a viable option for some patients. 

Key takeaways from the study: 

  • Ankle distraction arthroplasty showed promising results, with an 84% survival rate at 5 years. This is better than some previously reported outcomes. 
  • The study also identified factors that can influence the success of the procedure. Avascular necrosis of the talus (bone death) was associated with a lower survival rate. Additionally, sex may play a role, with the study suggesting potential gender differences in long-term outcomes. 

What this means for patients: 

Ankle distraction arthroplasty offers a potential option for preserving joint mobility in patients with ankle osteoarthritis. This study provides valuable data for surgeons and patients to consider when making treatment decisions. 

Important to note: 

  • This was a retrospective study, meaning researchers analyzed past data. More robust research designs are needed to confirm these findings. 
  • The study involved a relatively small group of patients. Larger studies are necessary to draw more definitive conclusions. 

Overall, this research suggests that ankle distraction arthroplasty may be a valuable tool for treating ankle osteoarthritis. However, more research is needed to solidify its place as a standard treatment option. 

ReferenceGreenfield, S., Matta, K. M., McCoy, T. H., Rozbruch, S. R., & Fragomen, A. (2019). Ankle distraction arthroplasty for ankle osteoarthritis: a survival analysis. Strategies in trauma and limb reconstruction, 14(2), 65. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7376580/#:~:text=In%20a%20significantly%20larger%20series,and%2037%25%20within%205%20years

Disclaimer:

This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional to discuss your individual treatment options.
 

Image Credit: Stubbs Dental

“Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.”
– Thomas Jefferson

Medical science, like all other sciences, is an evolving field. Within the fields of orthopaedics and sports medicine, traditional medicinal practices are being utilized along with more unconventional methods of treatment, that utilize the body’s own mechanisms to optimize the healing of an individual. As the potential of biologics continues to emerge, the future of the utilization of these therapies will continue to dominate. One such therapy is the utilization of platelet rich plasma (PRP). The applications of PRP are starting to emerge within the orthopaedic realm. As an enhancer of cartilage repair and regeneration, its utilization is becoming a standard in orthopaedic care. 

While initial phases of the understanding of the mechanisms of action of PRP were somewhat unknown, there is a current emergence of the various interactions that enable PRP to achieve its objectives of healing and regeneration in a human biological system. As higher quality information is available, the proof of PRP effectiveness is actually being validated. Studies focused on this report are those dedicated to the understanding of the efficacy of PRP in the treatment of articular cartilage injury. This injury is one of those conditions that is identified during the degenerative process that is induced by osteoarthritis (OA). 

During the progression of OA, there are various mechanisms at play that result in the altering of various biological parameters. With these internal changes, the relevant regulation of compounds such as cytokines and various enzymes is affected. PRP as a treatment is one that is able to counteract these conditions, and ultimately result in the restoration of the appropriate balance of these internal factors, and enable the joint to sustain itself and restore. As pre-clinical studies and clinical trials are optimized in terms of technology and focus, the effectiveness of PRP and its direct mechanisms of action will be well known.

OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis as a condition is one that affects the knees mostly, and is attributed to the loss of articular cartilage. Affecting up to 4% of the globe at any one time, there is a need to ensure that the healing of this condition can be optimized. With longevity on the rise, mobility of the human population will be one thing that persons will want to factor into their quality of life. Biologic utilization in the treatment of OA aims to minimize the inflammatory processes that take place during arthritis, that cause the articular cartilage to be affected. To ensure that articular cartilage is restored, it will be important to ensure that critical parameters are sustained. These are the anabolic and catabolic factors. PRP does well in the balancing of these two. 

PRP IMPACT ON OA 

PRP is obtained via centrifugal processes, and involves the extraction of the platelets from the bloodstream. Within these concentrated solutions of PRP, are the various healing components that will facilitate the restoration of the articular cartilage. This includes the increased concentration of growth factors and proteins. When concentrated in a location such as the knee, and injected to a healing site, these components will then enhance the regeneration of the tissues. Articular cartilage is degenerated in the OA progression, while PRP counteracts its mechanism of action via: inhibiting the catabolic cytokines of IL-1β and TNF-α, and by promoting factors associated with cartilage matrix synthesis including fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and others.

As a modulator of the inflammatory processes, PRP has proven its effectiveness in controlling the process. Further details of the mechanisms of action are outlined in the second reference of this article. The process is a very detailed multi-step regulatory process that involves a series of interactions between the PRP and various elements in the cellular matrix. 

PRP is incorporated into a multitude of treatment strategies in the treatment of OA. These include operational utilization via grafting mechanism, or the incorporation of the treatment in a non-operative manner via injections. As the demand for biologic treatment increases, the PRP methodology will be a factor that will be increasingly utilized in the minimization of the impacts of OA. As a regenerative therapy, it will be one of those treatments that has dual purposes. Various pharmaceutical preparations modes of PRP are under study, and the findings and efficacy being documented for future use. These include preparations such as fibrin glue or gel, inactivated leukocyte-poor PRP, and leukocyte-rich PRP. The preparations have been tested in both a pre-clinical and clinical application. 

Clinical Applications of PRP have been a medical focus for the past twenty years and continue to be a benefit to the treatment of OA. As varieties of PRP preparations have become standard and are proving their efficacy, the utilization will only go up. As PRP aims to restore the articular cartilage via mitigating and balancing the inflammatory and catabolic environments in a site, the hope is that a deeper understanding of how this occurs will be finalized during studies. 

The future of PRP utilization is definitely one that will be a focus for many more decades to come. Once the establishment of robust clinical trials and improvement in reporting standards is established, the appropriate escalation to clinical trials will be facilitated. 

References: 

  1. The Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Cartilage Pathology: An Updated Systematic Review of the Basic Science Evidence: https://bit.ly/3lugXAC
  2. Platelet-Rich Plasma and Cartilage Repair: https://bit.ly/3nDJx4

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest

Dr. Gordon Slater

Dr. Slater is one of the first foot and ankle surgeons in Australia to adopt minimally invasive surgical techniques. He routinely uses MIS to treat a range of conditions, including bunions.

Leave a comment

Dr Gordon Slater is a highly-skilled surgeon specialising in foot and ankle conditions and sports injuries. Dr Slater is one of the first foot and ankle surgeons in Australia to adopt minimally invasive surgical techniques. He routinely uses MIS to treat a range of conditions, including bunions. MIS  has many advantages including shorter operating times, reduced post-operative pain, reduced risk of infection, minimal scarring and better cosmetic outcomes.

Copyright © 2022 orthopaedic-surgeon.com.au