Alta variabilidad en la indicación, elaboración y aplicación del plasma rico en plaquetas entre los cirujanos de la Asociación Argentina de Artroscopía

Abstract

The use of platelet rich plasma has grown exponentially in orthopedic practice in the past decade. However, its use has far exceeded the clinical evidence supporting its use. The objective of the following study was to identify and describe the differences in the indication, preparation and application of platelet-rich plasma among the physicians of the Argentine Association of Arthroscopy (AAA). A 14-question questionnaire was designed to collect information on the current use of the PRP. The survey was sent to 925 AAA members. The response rate was 36.2% (n = 335). Of those who use PRP, the majority (66%) indicated that they carry out between 0 to 4 monthly applications. The most frequent location in the use of PRP was in the knee (52%) and the most frequent indication was in tendinopathies (39%), followed by osteoarthritis (32%). Most of the orthopedic surgeons surveyed did not know the preparation protocols or the final composition of the PRP they used. On the other hand, we found significant variability in the dose, the number of infiltrations and the time interval between the different applications for the same pathology. It is important to note that 50% of the interviewees reported not knowing the usefulness of biological therapies or not knowing their mode of application. In conclusion, there is a very significant variability in the indication, elaboration and application of PRP among AAA physicians. We consider that identifying this problem through the following survey is essential to promote new educational and training activities for AAA members that allow applying these therapies more effectively and in line with the best available evidence.