©
Shutterstock
The paper, titled 'Platelet Rich Plasma For Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture', was a two-year follow up of the study led by researchers at the Kadoorie Centre.
The Achilles tendon is the most common tendon rupture treated in hospitals. Patients face long periods unable to work or participate in sport as healing and recovery are slow.
With PRP therapy, a concentrate of the patient's own blood containing high levels of platelets and growth factors important for healing, is injected into the Achilles injury site. There had been promising signs from laboratory research that PRP could improve healing and its popularity has been growing in sports and orthopaedic medicine and in high-profile athletes.
However, the PATH-2 trial found no evidence that PRP injections improved muscle-tendon function or the patients' quality of life after this injury compared with a placebo.
Commenting on the award Dr David Keene, lead author of the two-year results in the Bone and Joint Journal said: 'The PATH-2 team are delighted to have been recognised by EFORT with this award, following a well-received presentation at the congress by our colleague Joseph Alsousou. The lack of evidence of efficacy at six months we reported in the BMJ, and now in the two-year follow-up, provides robust evidence for clinicians and patients about the use of PRP for acute Achilles tendon ruptures. We are very grateful to all the NHS collaborators and patients who made the study a success.'