Clinical results of hip arthroscopy for labral tears: a comparison between intraoperative platelet-rich plasma and bupivacaine injection
Authors
Redmond JM, Gupta A, Stake CE, Hammarstedt JE, Finch NA, Domb BG
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2014.08.034
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of intraoperative platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on clinical outcomes following hip arthroscopy for labral tears compared to bupivacaine injection.
Methods
Prospective comparative study of 306 patients undergoing hip arthroscopy from Nov 2010 to Mar 2012. Patients received either intra-articular PRP (study group, n=91) or bupivacaine (control group, n=180). Outcomes were measured pre-op, 3 months, and 2 years post-op using 4 hip-specific PRO tools and VAS for pain.
Key Findings
- Both groups improved over time; however, at 2 years, the PRP group had slightly higher pain scores (3.4 vs 2.5, p=0.005) and lower modified Harris Hip Scores (78.6 vs 82.6, p=0.049).
- No significant differences in other PRO scores or rates of revision or conversion to total hip arthroplasty.
Conclusion
Intraoperative PRP injection did not improve outcomes compared to bupivacaine in hip arthroscopy for labral tears and may be associated with slightly worse pain and function scores at 2 years.
What This Means for Patients
Using PRP during hip arthroscopy for labral tears does not appear to offer additional benefit over standard pain control injections and may not be worth the added cost or procedure.