Ultrasound guided injection in patellar tendinopathy; clinical outcomes of platelet-rich plasma compared to high-volume injection

Objectives

To assess the efficacy of ultrasound guided injection of platelet rich plasma versus high volume injection in treatment of patellar tendinopathy, in patients not responding to conservative treatment.

Methods

Twenty patients between January 2016 and January 2017, were divided in to two equal groups one performed high volume image guided injection (HVIGI), and another group performed platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection, the two groups were submitted to follow up to assess the response to therapy over a period of 12 months by assessment of pain relief through visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results

All of the 20 patients suffered from knee pain during their normal daily activity or after sports, pretreatment VAS average was 6. Follow up of the patients was done after injection and physiotherapy protocol at 2 month, 6 months and 12 months. After injection of (HVIGI), pain disappeared in 6 cases (60%), 3 had mild pain (30%), 1 still had moderate pain (10%). In second group injected by (PRP), pain disappeared in 7 cases (70%), 3 had mild pain (30%).

Conclusion

HVIGI and PRP are effective techniques in treatment of patellar tendinopathy not responding to conservative treatment, however in our study PRP proved to be more effective.