CURRENT EVIDENCE ON PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF UPPER LIMB TENDINOPATHIES

Paweł Szajewski; Justyna Kącikowska; Justyna Łapicka; Alicja Pełszyk; Natalia Kruszewska; Natalia Ziółkowska; Michał Cholewiński; Agata Pluta; Daria Marciniak; Natalia Rosół

doi:10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.4466

Authors

Paweł Szajewski Dr. Anna Gostyńska Wolski Hospital, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5296-9043
Justyna Kącikowska Dr. Anna Gostyńska Wolski Hospital, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1399-9553
Justyna Łapicka Military Institute of Medicine – National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2039-990X
Alicja Pełszyk Military Institute of Medicine – National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7803-5196
Natalia Kruszewska Provincial Hospital in Poznań, Poznań, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5297-3846
Natalia Ziółkowska Central Clinical Hospital of the University Clinical Centre of the Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4663-1772
Michał Cholewiński Warsaw Southern Hospital, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2738-0189
Agata Pluta New Hospital in Olkusz, Olkusz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7939-2172
Daria Marciniak Międzylesie Specialist Hospital, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0438-2708
Natalia Rosół National Medical Institute of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6589-1162

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.4466

Keywords:

Platelet-Rich Plasma, PRP, Upper Limb Tendinopathy, Rotator Cuff, Lateral Epicondylitis, Medial Epicondylitis, Biceps Tendinopathy, De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, Tendon Healing, Post-Surgical Recovery

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood derivative enriched in platelets and growth factors, increasingly utilized to enhance tendon healing in upper limb tendinopathies. This review systematically examines current evidence on PRP’s biological mechanisms and clinical efficacy in managing tendinopathies affecting the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. PRP exerts multifactorial effects by modulating inflammation, stimulating tenocyte proliferation, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Clinical studies demonstrate PRP’s potential to reduce pain and improve function in rotator cuff tendinopathy, biceps tendinopathy, lateral and medial epicondylitis, and De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Evidence also suggests PRP’s role as an adjunct in post-surgical tendon healing, facilitating earlier recovery and functional gains. However, heterogeneity in preparation methods and treatment protocols necessitates further standardized trials to optimize therapeutic outcomes.

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