Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma as a conservative and surgical adjuvant treatment for chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Current evidence demonstrates that PRP provides only short-term functional improvement in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy, with no significant long-term or structural benefits and no additional advantage as a surgical adjunct. PRP should not be considered routine treatment; clinicians should prioritize evidence-based rehabilitation while counseling patients regarding its limited, transient effects. Future research must focus on establishing standardized PRP protocols, conducting large multicenter trials, and investigating optimized formulations and combination therapies to potentially enhance outcomes.