Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma therapy for tendinopathy caused by military training

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection into injured tendons caused by military training. Methods Between March 2018 and June 2019, 41 patients with tendinopathy caused by military training were enrolled at Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital. Conventional ultrasound was used to evaluate the injuried tendons. Under the guidance of ultrasound, the 21G PTC needle was used to percutaneously puncture into the injury site, and autologous PRP was then injected into the lesions in amulti-point manner. Conventional ultrasound, limb mobility score, and pain score were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy. The results were compared between pre-treatment and 2 weeks or 1 month after treatment. Results The injection dose of PRP was (2.85±0.49) ml in the 41 patients. After treatment, ultrasound showed that the tendon became thinning, the morphological structure was improved, and the proliferation of peripheral blood vessels was lessened. The pain was alleviated gradually, and the movement range of all affected limbs was expanded. Pain score was significantly decreased at 1 month (2.71±1.39) and 2 weeks (4.66±2.43) after treatment compared with pre-treatment score (6.53±2.78) (P=0.006 and P=0.008, respectively). Limb mobility score was significantly increased at 1 month (79.70±5.09) and 2 weeks (72.33±3.34) after treatment compared with pre-treatment score (61.84±9.98) (P=0.004 and P=0.006, respectively). Conclusion Ultrasound-guided autologous PRP therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of tendinopathy caused by military training. Key words: Platelet-rich plasma; Ultrasonography, interventional; Tendinopathy; Military training