Effectiveness of ultrasound guided platelet rich plasma injection in comparison with standard conservative treatment on improving pain and function among the athletes with partial anterior cruciate ligament injury of knee: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most common ligamentous injuries of knee. Treatment options for partial ACL tear range from conservative treatment up to partial reconstruction. PRP may have enhancing effect on ACL cell viability and promotion of cell proliferation in partial tear of ACL. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the role of PRP on partial ACL tear. Methods: A RCT was done among athletes with partial ACL injury who visited department of Sports Medicine, RIMS, Imphal during June 2019-December 2020. Patients with MRI diagnosed grade 1 and 2 ACL injury (n=48) randomized into PRP injection plus rehabilitation, (n=24) and rehabilitation alone, (n=24) groups. The outcomes were compared using International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score and VAS at baseline, 1^st month, 4^th month, 8^th month and 12^th month respectively. Results: Baseline characteristics were not statistically significant. At the end of 1^st month, there were statistically significant improvement in both mean difference of IKDC score (.001), Lysholm score (0.001) and VAS (0.007). At the end of 4^th month, there were statistically significant improvement in both mean difference of IKDC score (0.001), Lysholm score (0.026) and VAS (0.001). At the end of 8^th and 12^th month, improvement in mean difference of IKDC score, Lysholm score, VAS were observed however not statistically significant. Conclusions: Ultrasound guided PRP injection along with conservative rehabilitation program might be a treatment choice for ACL partial tear.