Protocol for Optimising the Host for Favourable Outcomes of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has become a potential regenerative treatment for joint pain, particularly in the area of osteoarthritis and tendinopathies. Nonetheless, clinical results continue to be inconsistent, with significant inter-patient variability in response rates. Recent findings suggest that PRP bioactivity is strongly conditioned by patient specific biological and lifestyle factors. This systematic review aims to summarize modifiable patient-related factors that may be optimized before PRP therapy to improve platelet function, growth factor release, and clinical outcomes when treating joints for pain. A structured search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and Embase databases was performed for studies investigating the effects of patient factors on PRP efficacy in musculoskeletal applications. We included studies published from 2010 to 2025.