Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection for ACL injury recovery

Clinical Outcome of Intra Articular Injection of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

This trial will test whether a single ultrasound-guided PRP injection plus standard rehabilitation helps adults with recent mild-to-moderate ACL injuries recover better than rehabilitation alone.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 52 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 50 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Dhaka)
• Trial ID: NCT07185802 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adult participants with recent (≤3 months) MRI-confirmed grade 1–2 ACL injuries are randomly assigned to receive either a single ultrasound-guided intra-articular PRP injection plus standard rehabilitation or rehabilitation alone. PRP is prepared from each participant's own blood and administered at baseline under ultrasound guidance. Knee function, pain, and physical performance are measured at 3, 8, and 16 weeks using validated outcome measures. The study excludes patients with complete ACL tears, grade 3 PCL or meniscal injuries, low hemoglobin or platelet counts, recent intra-articular steroids, or use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet or systemic steroid therapy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–50 with recent (≤3 months) MRI-confirmed grade 1–2 ACL injuries, adequate hemoglobin (>10 g/dL) and platelet counts (>150,000/µL), and the ability to participate in standard rehabilitation are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with complete ACL tears, grade 3 PCL or meniscal injuries, platelet disorders, low hemoglobin or platelets, current anticoagulant/antiplatelet or systemic steroid use, recent intra-articular steroid injections, or those outside the 18–50 age range are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding PRP to rehabilitation could reduce pain and improve knee function and stability more quickly than rehabilitation alone.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies of PRP for ACL and related knee ligament injuries have produced mixed results with limited high-quality evidence and no clear consensus on benefit.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria:

* Patients of both sexes who are older than 18 years and younger than 50 years
* 3 or Less than 3-months history of knee injuries
* ACL injury MRI Grade 1 (Low) and medium Grade 2 (Medium) grade
* ACL injury associated with Grade 1 or 2 Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear and/or Grade 1 or 2 meniscal tear
* The Complete Blood Count (CBC) report shows a hemoglobin \> 10gm/dl and platelet count \>150,000/microliter prior to the procedure
* Capable of comprehending informed consent

Exclusion criteria:

* Patients who have had intra articular corticosteroid injections in the index knee during the last 12 weeks
* Patients who are taking systemic steroid
* Patients who are younger than 18 and older than 50 years
* Those with a history of platelet disorders or on the therapeutic anticoagulant or anti platelet drugs
* Hemoglobin below 10 gm/dl
* Platelet count \<150000/microliter
* Complete tear of both bundles on MRI
* Grade 3 or more PCL and meniscal tear on MRI
* Previous or concurrent ligament reconstruction in the index knee joint.
* Connective tissue disorders like Marfan Syndrome, Ehler-Danlos Syndrome etc.
* Any inflammatory disease like Rheumatoid Arthritis, spondyloarthritis, gout, pseudogout etc involving the knee joint.

Where this trial is running

Dhaka

• Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University — Dhaka, Bangladesh (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Dr. Isfath Fauzia, MBBS — Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Study coordinator: Dr. Isfath Fauzia, MBBS

Conditions Anterior Cruciate Ligament; PRP in ACL injury