Do Plasma Injections Improve Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy?

The terms “tendinopathy” and “tendinosis” are more commonly used now instead of “tendinitis,” because the condition characterized by pain, swelling, and decreased activity is not from acute inflammation as much as from abnormal tissue repair and chronic damage to the tendon fibers. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections into ligaments and tendons have been postulated to stimulate the body's own healing mechanisms with the release of growth factors that stimulate tissue repair, and there is also evidence that PRP injections are being used more often in clinical practice. The primary outcomes were levels of pain and activity at baseline and at six, 12, and 24 weeks, as measured using the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire.