Cross-Departmental Collaboration in New Study: Role of Mechanical Loading for PRP-Treated Achilles Tendinopathy

In collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh’s Mechanobiology Laboratory and Gulf Coast Biologics, experts from the UPMC Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, as well as UPMC Sports Medicine, have published an article titled, “Role of Mechanical Loading for Platelet-Rich Plasma-Treated Achilles Tendinopathy” in the American College of Sports Medicine’s Current Sports Medicine Reports. 

The article examines the lack of consensus on the optimal rehabilitation protocol after platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for tendinopathy. It discusses tendon mechanobiology and platelet biology and reviews levels I and II Achilles tendon clinical studies, all while paying particular attention to the role of mechanical loading in rehabilitation of injured tendons. The group plans to follow up by designing a study to further investigate regenerative rehabilitation.

Experts involved in this study include:

Kentaro Onishi, DO
Assistant Professor, Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Surgery
Director, UPMC PM&R Sports Medicine Fellowship Program

Alyssa Neph, MD
Resident, UPMC Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 

Allison Schroeder, MD
Administrative Chief Resident Physician, UPMC Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Keelen R. Enseki, MS, PT
Director, UPMC Clinical Practice Innovation
Administrative Director, UPMC Physical Therapy Residency Programs

James H-C. Wang, PhD
Albert B. Ferguson, Jr., MD, Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery
Director, University of Pittsburgh Mechanobiology Laboratory

Peter A. Everts, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer and EmCyte Corporation Program Director, Gulf Coast Biologics 

The full article is featured in the June 2020 edition of Current Sports Medicine Reports.