Utilizzo dei fattori di crescita nelle lesioni del tendine rotuleo

Chronic tendinopathies represent one of the most common causes of longterm pain and physical disability. Because of poor tendon vascularity and because of the istopathologic changes in the damaged area, tendon healing rate is relatively low compared with other connective tissues, inducing a poor clinical and functional outcome. For these reasons, beside classic surgical and conservative treatments, new therapeutic approaches, such as the use of growth factors, were developed in order to enhance biologic response and healing processes. One of the most innovative systems is based on PRP. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a plasma layer, separated after centrifugation of an autologous blood sample, in which platelets are about 8 times more concentrated than in normal plasma. The rationale of this technique is based on scientific evidence of the importance of growth factors, contained in platelet granules, in the normal tendon healing process. In this article we report the effects on clinical, functional and instrumental outcomes of US-guided injections of autologous PRP in 20 patients with patellar tendinopathy, aged between 18 and 43 years, treated in our clinic between 2010 and 2013.