2026 SICOT Annual Meeting: Does platelet-rich plasma augmentation improve outcomes in ACL reconstruction? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 1085 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) augmentation versus standard ACLR without PRP. Pooled outcomes included pain measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS), functional outcomes assessed using the Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Tegner scores, tunnel widening, and knee stability measured using the KT-1000 arthrometer. PRP significantly reduced pain at 3 and 6 months and modestly improved Tegner scores at 6 months. However, no significant improvements were observed in Lysholm scores, IKDC scores, or tunnel widening, while knee stability marginally favoured the control group. Overall, PRP provided modest short-term benefits without meaningful long-term improvements, suggesting that routine PRP augmentation during ACLR was not supported.