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Case Reports
. 2024 Sep 23;16(9):e70059.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.70059. eCollection 2024 Sep.

Efficacy of Intra-articular Super-dose Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in Improving Pain in a Middle-Aged Sedentary Female With Meniscal Tear: A Case Report

Sneha Thirugnana Sambandam  1 , Dobson Dominic  1 , Praveen Ravi  1 , Ashirwad Jadhav  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Efficacy of Intra-articular Super-dose Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in Improving Pain in a Middle-Aged Sedentary Female With Meniscal Tear: A Case Report

Sneha Thirugnana Sambandam et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

This case study explores the use of super-dose platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in managing a meniscal tear in a 43-year-old woman with left knee pain. The patient was diagnosed with a vertical longitudinal tear of the body and posterior horn medial meniscus, confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging. Super-dose PRP, characterized by a higher platelet volume (8 ml), was administered intra-articular. Post-injection, the patient reported initial discomfort for a few days, but significant improvements in pain and range of motion (ROM) were observed within the first week. Over 12 weeks, her visual analog scale pain score decreased from 8/10 during activity to 2/10, and her ROM returned to full functionality. The case supports the hypothesis that super-dose PRP may enhance the healing process in meniscal injuries by promoting tissue healing and regeneration through the release of growth factors, angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, and inflammation modulation. This case highlights PRP's potential as a non-surgical treatment for meniscal tears. Further large-scale studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these results, optimize dosing strategies, and determine which patient populations will benefit most from this innovative treatment approach.

Keywords: growth factors; high volume prp; meniscus injury; meniscus rehabilitation; prp; regenerative medicine; regenerative medicine therapies.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. (A) Axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of left knee, (B) coronal T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of left knee, and (C) sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of left knee.
The arrow in image A shows a vertical body tear of the medial meniscus, the arrow in image B shows a posterior horn tear of the medial meniscus, while the arrow in image C shows posterior horn tear of the medial meniscus.
Figure 2
Figure 2. (A) PRP after the first spin, (B) PRP after the second spin, and (C) the final PRP in the collection tube (4 ml + 4 ml).
PRP, platelet-rich plasma.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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