The efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in osseous foot and ankle pathology: a review

Plain language summaryThe purpose of this review is to develop evidence-based practices for the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat bony pathologies of the lower extremity. There is moderate high-quality evidence to support the use of PRP in surgery to treat damage of both cartilage and bone in the foot. The literature supports a conceivable positive impact on bony healing after fracture. There is insufficient evidence to support PRP injections in the conservative management symptomatic ankle osteoarthritis. PRP may augment bone stimulation surgery in cases of cartilage and bone defects with promise for increasing bone to bone healing following surgical operations. Further high-quality, comparative studies with longer clinical follow-up are required. The purpose of this review is to develop evidence-based practices for the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat osseous pathologies of the lower extremity. There is moderate high-quality evidence to support the efficacy of PRP as a surgical augment to microfracture in osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). The literature supports a conceivable positive impact on bony union and osseous healing. There is insufficient evidence to support PRP injections in the conservative management of OLT or symptomatic ankle osteoarthritis. PRP may serve as a viable treatment method in the surgical augmentation of microfracture surgery in OLT and has promise for increasing bony union following surgical operations. Further high-quality, comparative studies with longer clinical follow-up are required. Tweetable abstractPRP may serve as an augment to microfracture surgery in osteochondral lesions of the talus and has promise for increasing bony union following surgical operations. Further high-quality, comparative studies with longer clinical follow-up are required.