PLATELET-RICH plasma (PRP) therapy significantly enhances the healing of diabetic foot ulcers compared with standard wound care, according to findings from a randomized controlled trial that assessed both clinical outcomes and histopathological changes.
Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious complication of diabetes, often resulting in prolonged healing times and increased morbidity. PRP, derived from autologous blood and concentrated with growth factors, has gained attention as a regenerative therapy for chronic wounds. This study evaluated whether locally injected PRP or topically applied PRP offers superior efficacy in promoting ulcer closure.
Sixty patients with diabetic foot ulcers were randomized into three equal groups. Group A received locally injected PRP, Group B received topically applied PRP, and Group C underwent standard wound care. Patients were monitored twice weekly for up to 12 weeks, or until complete healing. Biopsy samples were collected at baseline and after follow-up to assess histological changes.
By week 12, 87.5% of patients treated with PRP (35 of 40 in the injection and topical groups combined) achieved complete ulcer healing. This was significantly higher than the healing rate observed in patients receiving standard care. Importantly, histopathological assessment confirmed that PRP promoted enhanced tissue regeneration and repair. No significant difference was observed between injected and topical PRP, indicating both delivery methods provided comparable clinical benefit.
These findings suggest that PRP—whether injected or applied topically—offers a substantial improvement over traditional wound management for diabetic foot ulcers. As DFUs remain a major cause of morbidity in diabetes, PRP presents a promising adjunctive therapy that could be considered in clinical practice.
Reference: Nasr M et al. Effectiveness of injected versus topically applied platelet-rich plasma in diabetic foot ulcers: A randomized controlled trial with clinical and histopathological assessment. JPRAS Open. 2025;46:22-32.
