The primary goal of this study was to compile the top 50 most cited articles on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). A search of relevant studies was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines in Web of Science. The top 25 most cited articles in osteoarthritis and tendinopathy were then compiled and evaluated. Level 1 evidence articles constituted the majority of the studies (64%) and were more likely to have a higher citation density. Altmetric data was highest for level 1 systematic reviews. Of the articles that report a positive outcome for PRP, 13% (2/16) had low risk of bias. This study defines the most cited and influential publications regarding PRP to further research in this area.
Keywords: PRP; growth factors; osteoarthritis; platelet-rich plasma; regeneration; repair; sports medicine; tendinopathy.
Osteoarthritis, which is degeneration of joints from overuse and/or injuries, and tendinopathy, which is usually a chronic injury of the tendons attached to muscles and bones, are big issues in sports medicine. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which is a concentrated mixture of platelets from the patient’s own blood, could be an effective treatment for these conditions, but the literature on PRP is limited. This article lists the top 25 most cited articles on the use of PRP in osteoarthritis and in tendinopathy, and it also analyzes how much these articles have been used in research and in public discord. This article is useful as a reading list for physicians, trainees, patients and researchers to know the evidence for PRP.