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Volume 15
Issue 11
10.3390/jcm15114148
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Review

Outcomes of Acute Achilles Tendon Repair with Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation: A Comprehensive Review of Comparative Studies

by
Michele Mercurio
1,2,
Giorgia Lucia Benedetto
3,*,
Elvira Immacolata Parrotta
3,
Giovanni Cuda
4,
Lorena Paola
2,
Erminia Cofano
2,
Umile Giuseppe Longo
5,6,
Simone Cerciello
7 and
Giorgio Gasparini
1,2
1
Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, “Magna Graecia” University, “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
2
Research Center on Musculoskeletal Health, MusculoSkeletalHealth@UMG, “Magna Graecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
3
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
4
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Graecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
5
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Roma, Italy
6
Research Unit of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Roma, Italy
7
Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(11), 4148; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15114148
Submission received: 6 April 2026 / Revised: 18 May 2026 / Accepted: 19 May 2026 / Published: 27 May 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Advancements in Orthopedic Trauma Treatments)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been proposed as a biological augmentation strategy in the surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR). However, clinical evidence remains heterogeneous, and its impact on structural and functional recovery is unclear. This review synthesizes comparative clinical evidence on PRP augmentation in surgical acute ATR repair. Methods: A comprehensive review of comparative clinical studies was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central databases. Seven studies, including three randomized controlled trials, met the inclusion criteria, totaling 207 patients. Methodological quality was assessed using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results: Several studies reported early functional improvements with PRP. Zou et al. found better range of motion at 24 months (p < 0.001). Sánchez et al. reported faster recovery of range of motion (7 vs. 11 weeks) and earlier return to running (11 vs. 18 weeks). Hung et al. observed improved range of motion at 6 months, without differences at 24 months (ATRS 92.9 vs. 92.7). Conversely, randomized trials by Yasui, Schepull, and De Carli showed no significant long-term differences in functional outcomes. Conclusions: PRP may enhance early recovery after surgical acute ATR repair, but consistent long-term superiority has not been demonstrated. Heterogeneity in PRP preparation and administration likely contributes to conflicting findings. Further standardized trials are required to define its clinical role.
Keywords: Achilles tendon rupture; biological augmentation; functional outcomes; platelet-rich plasma; surgical repair; tendon healing Achilles tendon rupture; biological augmentation; functional outcomes; platelet-rich plasma; surgical repair; tendon healing

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MDPI and ACS Style

Mercurio, M.; Benedetto, G.L.; Parrotta, E.I.; Cuda, G.; Paola, L.; Cofano, E.; Longo, U.G.; Cerciello, S.; Gasparini, G. Outcomes of Acute Achilles Tendon Repair with Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation: A Comprehensive Review of Comparative Studies. J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15, 4148. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15114148

AMA Style

Mercurio M, Benedetto GL, Parrotta EI, Cuda G, Paola L, Cofano E, Longo UG, Cerciello S, Gasparini G. Outcomes of Acute Achilles Tendon Repair with Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation: A Comprehensive Review of Comparative Studies. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2026; 15(11):4148. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15114148

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mercurio, Michele, Giorgia Lucia Benedetto, Elvira Immacolata Parrotta, Giovanni Cuda, Lorena Paola, Erminia Cofano, Umile Giuseppe Longo, Simone Cerciello, and Giorgio Gasparini. 2026. "Outcomes of Acute Achilles Tendon Repair with Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation: A Comprehensive Review of Comparative Studies" Journal of Clinical Medicine 15, no. 11: 4148. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15114148

APA Style

Mercurio, M., Benedetto, G. L., Parrotta, E. I., Cuda, G., Paola, L., Cofano, E., Longo, U. G., Cerciello, S., & Gasparini, G. (2026). Outcomes of Acute Achilles Tendon Repair with Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation: A Comprehensive Review of Comparative Studies. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 15(11), 4148. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15114148

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