EFFECT OF PLATELET-RICH FIBRIN ON BIOMECHANICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF TENDON HEALING: A PRELIMINARY ANIMAL STUDY

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of platelet-rich fibrin as a rich source of growth factors on biomechanical and biochemical aspects of tendon healing. Methods: Tendon defects were created in six adult male mixed breed dogs by surgical resection of the central third of the patellar tendon of both hind limbs. The defects were either treated by platelet-rich fibrin implantation or left empty. The animals were euthanized one, three and six months after surgery and their patellar tendons harvested for determination of ultimate stress, ultimate strain, tensile strength and Young’s modulus of elasticity along with hydroxyproline content. Results: Significant differences were not observed in mean values of the measured biomechanical and biochemical parameters at any time point between the two groups. Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study, PRF did not have a positive influence on biomechanical and biochemical aspects of tendon healing in dogs.