Effect of platelet-rich plasma in Achilles tendon allograft in rabbits.

Background: Achilles tendon is composed of dense connective tissue and is one of the largest tendons in the body. In veterinary medicine, acute ruptures are associated with impact injury or sharp trauma. Healing of the ruptured tendon is challenging because of poor blood and nerve supply as well as the residual cell population. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains numerous bioactive agents and growth factors and has been utilized to promote healing in bone, soft tissue, and tendons.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the healing effect of PRP injected into the surrounding fascia of the Achilles tendon after allograft in rabbits.

Methods: Donor rabbits (n = 8) were anesthetized and 16 lateral gastrocnemius tendons were fully transected bilaterally. Transected tendons were decellularized and stored at -80°C prior to allograft. The allograft was placed on the partially transected medial gastrocnemius tendon in the left hindlimb of 16 rabbits. The allograft PRP group (n = 8) had 0.3 mL of PRP administered in the tendon and the allograft control group (n = 8) did not receive any treatment. After 8 weeks, rabbits were euthanatized and allograft tendons were transected for macroscopic, biomechanical, and histological assessment.

Results: The allograft PRP group exhibited superior macroscopic assessment scores, greater tensile strength, and a histologically enhanced healing process compared to those in the allograft control group.

Conclusions: Our results suggest administration of PRP on an allograft tendon has a positive effect on the healing process in a ruptured Achilles tendon.