Injured athletes seek to return to their performance level as quickly as possible. The tissues involved in sports injuries - tendons, ligaments, cartilage - are poorly vascularised, which naturally slows their healing.

Local PRP injection delivers a high concentration of growth factors (PDGF, TGF-b, VEGF) directly to the lesion site, stimulating cell proliferation and tissue repair. The autologous nature of the protocol eliminates any allergic risk or transmission of infectious agents, an important criterion for elite athletes.

Tendon Pathologies

• Chronic Achilles tendinopathy
• Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)
• Quadriceps tendinopathy
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)

Muscle Injuries

• Grade I and II muscle injuries (strains, tears)
• Recurrent post-traumatic fibrosis

Joint and Ligament Pathologies

• Ligament sprains (ankle, knee)
• Athlete's gonarthrosis (early to moderate stages)
• Focal cartilage lesions
• Intrasubstance meniscal lesions

Protocol

• 14 patients with Achilles tendinopathy, 7 with patellar tendinopathy
• Cycle of 3 tendon infiltrations
• Clinical, ultrasound and questionnaire-based evaluation
• 24-month follow-up

Results

• 18 out of 21 patients showed reduced insertion irregularities on ultrasound
• Mean VISA score at 24 months: 84.2 / 100
• Complete functional recovery with resolution of pain symptoms

Contraindications to Note

• No local anaesthesia before injection: anaesthetics alter platelet function
• Avoid NSAIDs in the days following injection (risk of inhibiting PRP effect)
• Partial unloading recommended depending on the indication

Advantages for the Elite Athlete

• Autologous protocol: no immunological risk or infectious transmission
• No exogenous substance: compatible with anti-doping regulations
• Progressive return to activity possible according to clinical response