Blood-Derived injection may heal stubborn knee tendon pain — trial puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT01843504
First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial investigates whether a single injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), made from a person's own blood, can reduce pain and improve function in chronic patellar tendinopathy (knee tendon pain). The study includes 29 adults aged 18–65 who have had tendon pain for over three months and have not improved with physical therapy or other common treatments. Researchers will use ultrasound imaging to track tendon changes over 32 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a single injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) made from the participant's own blood
- What this could lead to
- If effective, PRP injections could offer a non-surgical treatment option for chronic patellar tendinopathy, reducing pain and improving knee function.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small Phase 2 trial with only 29 participants, so results may not apply broadly. PRP injections can cause temporary pain or swelling at the injection site.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
29 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2014
- Finished
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Feb 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. age18-65 2. chronic (\>3months) patellar tendon pain; 3. clinical exam findings consistent with PT; 4. self-reported failure of supervised physical therapy; 5. self-reported failure of at least 2 of the most common treatments (NSAIDs, relative rest, ice, bracing) for patellar tendinopathy. Exclusion Criteria: 1. inability to comply with follow-up requirements of study, 2. history of bleeding disorders, low-platelet counts, other hematologic conditions; 3. knee pain due to another possible etiology(e.g., degenerative joint disease); 4. current or recent use of anticoagulation or immunosuppressive therapy; 5. known allergy to acetaminophen or Lidocaine; 6. self-reported pregnancy; 7. worker's compensation injury; 8. pending litigation; 9. concurrent opioid use for pain
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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UW Sports Medicine Clinic at Research Park
Madison, Wisconsin, 53711, United States
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Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research
Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States
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