Peri-operative platelet-rich plasma in arthroscopic femoroacetabular impingement surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether the addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) during hip arthroscopy improves functional outcomes in femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) surgery. This was a prospective randomized single-blinded trial of arthroscopic hip patients aged between 16 and 50 years with a diagnosis of FAI conducted at a single centre. Patients with any previous hip surgery and significant osteoarthritic changes (Tonnis grade > 2) were excluded. Before surgery, patients were randomly assigned to receive either a PRP injection or a saline placebo. Efficacy was evaluated at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post-surgery using patient-reported outcomes. The short version International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT12) was the primary outcome. Recruited patients (n = 113) were aged 36.0 ± 10.5 (mean ± standard deviation) years and 56% male. At baseline, iHOT12 scores of the PRP (mean 43.8 ± 22.4) and placebo groups (mean 45.2 ± 21.5) were similar. At a minimum follow-up of 2 years, both groups had improved iHOT12 scores (PRP: mean 83.6 ± 13.4, control: mean 77.1 ± 23.3), with no significant difference in change between the two groups (P = 0.19). There were no significant group differences for the change in Non-Arthritic Hip and Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Shortform scores between the two groups (P = 0.22 and 0.46, respectively). The present study does not support the peri-operative use of PRP in arthroscopic surgery for FAI for mid-term improvement. There were no significant differences in outcome between PRP and placebo groups at 2-year minimum follow-up after surgery.

Fig. 1.

Flow of participants in study.

Fig. 2.

Patient-reported outcome measures at pre-operation, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 4–5 years. A: IHOT-12 score, B: NAH score, C: HOOS-SF score. Numbers above data points indicate the sample size available from the 58 in the PRP group and 48 in the place group. Error bars are 95% confidence intervals.