Objective  To investigate the effect of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) on tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

  Methods  Totally 94 patients with ACL injury were divided into PRP group (n=42) and control group (n=52). ACL reconstruction was performed in both groups. In the PRP group, the tendon was soaked in PRP before transplantation, and PRP was injected into the articular cavity at 1, 3 and 5 weeks after operation. There was no special treatment in the control group. The International Knee Documentation Committee knee joint evaluation form (IKDC) score, Lysholm score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score were compared before operation and 3, 6 and 12 months after operation. The differences of femoral canal diameter on the day of operation, 3 and 12 months after operation were compared between the two groups, and the healing situation after operation was compared as well.

  Results  At 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, the IKDC score and Lysholm score in both groups were significantly higher than those before operation, while the VAS score was significantly lower than that before operation (P < 0.05). At 3 and 6 months after operation, there were significant differences in IKDC score, Lysholm score and VAS score between the two groups (P < 0.05). In the control group, there were significant differences in the diameters of femoral canal on the day of operation, 3 months and 12 months after operation (P < 0.05). The diameter of femoral canal in the control group was significantly larger than that in the PRP group at 3 and 12 months after operation (P < 0.05). At 12 months after operation, the healing of femoral tunnel graft in the PRP group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Application of autologous PRP in ACL reconstruction can accelerate the speed of tendon-bone healing, shorten the recovery time after ACL reconstruction, and improve the quality of tendon-bone healing.