Authors' objectives: To determine whether there is any evidence on the efficacy/effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in treating chronic ankle sprain.

Authors' results and conclusions: Thirty-seven published studies were identified from search no. 2. Upon examination of the titles and abstracts of these 37 studies, eight were thought to be relevant and were retrieved in full for further appraisal. Only two studies provided relevant data. A small (11 on PRP + immobilization and 10 on immobilization alone) randomized trial (RCT) (level of evidence 1) investigating the effect of PRP therapy in patients with acute lateral ankle sprain treated with rigid immobilization was reported by Blanco-Rivera et al. In this study, patients with first-time lateral ankle sprains of no more than 48 hours, grade II, with mild to moderate instability, according to the classification of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and were 18–60 years of age were recruited. The authors reported a statistically significant reduction of pain in PRP groups at 3, 5, and 8 weeks compared to controls but no statistically significant difference between groups at 24 weeks. With regard to function, PRP groups reported statistically significantly better function on the AOFAS than control group at 3, 5 and 8 weeks. However, no statistically significant difference was reported between groups at 24 weeks follow-up. PRP groups reported statistically significantly better function on FADI at 8 weeks. Laver et al reported a small (n total 16) RCT (level of evidence 1) investigating the effectiveness of PRP in treating antero-inferior tibio-fibular ligaments (AITFL) in athletes with regard to their return to play (RTP). In a four-year period, all elite athletes treated at the authors’ sport medicine facility for syndesmosis injuries were invited to participate in the study.

Authors' methods: A systematic literature search was started on July 8, 2024 conducted on commercial medical literature databases. The search was done by employing combinations of keywords. No other limitations were implemented in any of these searches. A manual search was also planned and conducted on the references of the articles that were retrieved in full.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/research-services/evidence-based-medicine-and-systematic-reviews

Year Published: 2024

URL for published report: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-care-providers/guides/efficacy-effectiveness-of-platelet-rich-plasma-in-treating-chronic-ankle-sprain?lang=en&origin=s&returnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.worksafebc.com%2Fen%2Fforms-resources%23sort%3DDate%26q%3DEfficacy%252FEffectiveness%2520of%2520Platelet-Rich%2520Plasma%2520in%2520Treating%2520Chronic%2520Ankle%2520Sprain%26f%3Alanguage-facet%3D%5BEnglish%5D%26tags%3DGuide%7C2d7eb4b30f6a4a319e0d40565c9abbab%2CHealth%2520Care%2520Provider%7C13468b0b3f074f6bade3f57ac3cdfb8e%2CSystematic%2520Review%7Cf78c29d570c14ec3b5a394385905df70&highlight=Efficacy/Effectiveness%20of%20Platelet-Rich%20Plasma%20in%20Treating%20Chronic%20Ankle%20Sprain

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Mini HTA

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: WorkSafeBC

Contact Address: 6591 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC, V7C 1C6 Canada. Tel: 604-231-8417; Fax: 604-279-7698

Contact Name: ebpg@worksafebc.com

Contact Email: ebpg@worksafebc.com

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