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. 2025 May 14;17(5):e84080.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.84080. eCollection 2025 May.

Comparison of Platelet-Rich Plasma Properties Used in Athletic Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Clinical Practice Report

António Pais Neto  1 , Tiago B Cunha  1 , Nuno Pereira  1 , Miguel Reis E Silva  2
Affiliations

Comparison of Platelet-Rich Plasma Properties Used in Athletic Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Clinical Practice Report

António Pais Neto et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

This study evaluates the properties of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparations used by a professional sports club's medical department for treating musculoskeletal conditions in athletes. PRP samples were prepared using 20 ml and 50 ml Hy-tissue® PRP Kits (Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A., Abano Terme, Italy) from 13 total blood samples. They were analyzed to assess platelet (PLT), leukocyte, and red blood cell concentrations. Results showed both kits effectively concentrated PLT with an average enrichment factor of 2.9×, though the 50 ml kit produced higher total PLT counts (4.7 Bl) than the 20 ml kit (1.7 Bl). White and red blood cell levels were significantly reduced, indicating high PRP purity. DEPA (dose of injected PLT, efficiency of production, purity of the PRP, activation of the PRP) classification revealed a superior quality score, from A to D in the three prior parameters, for the 50 ml kit (BCA vs. CCA). Despite acceptable PLT concentration, the efficiency of PLT recovery was low across both kits. The findings underscore the importance of evaluating PRP characteristics to optimize therapeutic outcomes and highlight the need for protocol refinement to enhance preparation efficiency. These results advocate for standardized reporting and classification to support evidence-based application of PRP in sports medicine.

Keywords: athletes; musculoskeletal injuries; platelet concentration; platelet-rich plasma (prp); sports-related injuries.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve human participants or tissue. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. 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. Blood cell concentration in blood and PRP samples
PRP: platelet-rich plasma, PLT-B: platelet concentration in whole blood (baseline), PLT-PRP: platelet concentration in platelet-rich plasma, WBC-B: white blood cell concentration in whole blood (baseline), WBC-PRP: white blood cell concentration in platelet-rich plasma, RBC-B: red blood cell concentration in whole blood (baseline), RBC-PRP: red blood cell concentration in platelet-rich plasma
Figure 2
Figure 2. Total PLT count in PRP and PLT count per ml in both 50 ml and 20 ml kits
PLT (Bl)-PRP: number of platelets in billions per platelet-rich plasma, PLT (Bl)/1 ml: number of platelets in billions per milliliter
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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