Efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma use for arthroscopic meniscal repair: A randomized trial protocol

BACKGROUND: Meniscus tear is one of the most familiar orthopedic injury, and it is also the leading cause of the dysfunction of knee joint. Recent efforts to improve the success rate of the meniscus repair surgery involve the addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The aim of our experiment is to assess the clinical effects of arthroscopic repair of meniscal tears without or with PRP. METHODS: This is a randomized and parallel-group superiority study. The study protocol is approved through the review committee of the corresponding institutions in PLA Army 80th Group Military Hospital. All patients will provide written informed consent to participate in the study. We implement our investigation on the basis of the ethical standards outlined in the Helsinki Declaration of 1964 and then report our outcomes according to the CONSORT statement of 2010. All the patients follow a same rehabilitation program. Patients are assessed at baseline (day before operation), 12 months and 24 months after the last time of injection; outcome assessments involve Ikeuchi score, Lysholm score, and the visual analogue scales for failure and pain rate. P value less than .05 indicates that there is statistical significance. RESULTS: We suppose that arthroscopic PRP repair of meniscus tears results in improved pain and functional results owing to the release of bioactive molecules that may affect the healing of meniscus. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study protocol was registered in Research Registry (researchregistry6175).