25 January 2024 | Blake M Bacevich, Richard David James Smith, Alec M Reihl, Augustus D Mazzocca, Ian D Hutchinson
This narrative review explores the efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in enhancing bone healing for primary fracture management and non-union treatment. PRP, a point-of-care orthobiologic, has been extensively studied for its potential to stimulate bone and soft tissue healing. The review highlights the heterogeneity in PRP preparation techniques, composition, activation strategies, and delivery methods, which complicates its clinical application. Despite promising pre-clinical data, clinical trials have not unequivocally demonstrated PRP's benefits in bone healing due to the lack of standardized protocols and the variability in PRP formulations. The review also discusses the biological activity of PRP, including its influence on inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and angiogenic factors, which play crucial roles in the bone healing process. Additionally, the activation methods of PRP, such as thrombin, calcium chloride, and Type-1 collagen, are discussed, along with the delivery methods, including direct injection, topical application, and combination with surgical procedures. Pre-clinical and clinical studies are reviewed, showing generally positive effects of PRP on bone healing, but with significant variability in study designs and protocols. The review concludes that while PRP shows promise as an adjunctive tool in bone healing, more rigorous and standardized clinical investigations are needed to fully understand its therapeutic potential.This narrative review explores the efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in enhancing bone healing for primary fracture management and non-union treatment. PRP, a point-of-care orthobiologic, has been extensively studied for its potential to stimulate bone and soft tissue healing. The review highlights the heterogeneity in PRP preparation techniques, composition, activation strategies, and delivery methods, which complicates its clinical application. Despite promising pre-clinical data, clinical trials have not unequivocally demonstrated PRP's benefits in bone healing due to the lack of standardized protocols and the variability in PRP formulations. The review also discusses the biological activity of PRP, including its influence on inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and angiogenic factors, which play crucial roles in the bone healing process. Additionally, the activation methods of PRP, such as thrombin, calcium chloride, and Type-1 collagen, are discussed, along with the delivery methods, including direct injection, topical application, and combination with surgical procedures. Pre-clinical and clinical studies are reviewed, showing generally positive effects of PRP on bone healing, but with significant variability in study designs and protocols. The review concludes that while PRP shows promise as an adjunctive tool in bone healing, more rigorous and standardized clinical investigations are needed to fully understand its therapeutic potential.