Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41272804›Full record

SynthesisJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2025

The effect of platelet-rich plasma on clinical outcomes within two years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Gang Li, Pan Deng, Shuangrong Xiang, Jun Qiao, Ying Zhang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Gang Li *Department of Orthopedics, Guangyuan First People's Hospital, Guangyuan, 628000, Sichuan, China.
Pan Deng *Department of Orthopedics, Guangyuan First People's Hospital, Guangyuan, 628000, Sichuan, China.
Shuangrong XiangDepartment of Orthopedics, Guangyuan First People's Hospital, Guangyuan, 628000, Sichuan, China.
Jun QiaoDepartment of Orthopedics, Guangyuan First People's Hospital, Guangyuan, 628000, Sichuan, China. qj2596@163.com.
Ying ZhangDepartment of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China. Zying20242024@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveAlthough platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been applied in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) to promote recovery, the time-dependent efficacy of PRP on postoperative pain, function, and joint stability remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate the clinical effects of PRP at various follow-up intervals within two years after ACLR through a time-stratified meta-analysis.

methodsA comprehensive literature search was systematically performed across PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. Outcome measures included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Tegner activity score, and KT-1000 arthrometer readings. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the stability and reliability of the findings.

resultsA total of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 599 ACLR patients were included. The analysis showed that PRP significantly improved VAS scores at 6 months postoperatively (SMD = -0.36, 95% CI: -0.62 to -0.10, P = 0.006), but no significant improvements were observed at 3, 12, or 24 months (P >0.05). Regarding knee function, there were no significant differences between groups in IKDC score, Lysholm score, or Tegner score at any of the assessed time points (3, 6, and 12 months) (P >0.05). Additionally, PRP significantly improved KT-1000 scores (SMD = -0.51, 95% CI: -0.82 to -0.19, P = 0.001).

conclusionsPRP may alleviate pain and improve knee joint stability in the short term (at 6 months post-ACLR), but it offers no significant benefits for mid- to long-term pain control or functional recovery. Future studies with standardized PRP preparation protocols, extended follow-up durations, and larger sample sizes are needed to further validate its clinical value.

Indexed as

Anterior Cruciate Ligament InjuriesAnterior Cruciate Ligament ReconstructionPlatelet-Rich PlasmaHumansPostoperative PainRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRecovery of FunctionTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeAnterior cruciate ligament reconstructionClinical outcomeFunctionMeta-analysisPainPlatelet-rich plasma

Identifiers

PMID41272804
PMCPMC12636180

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.