Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Preliminary Study
Keywords:
Intraarticular knee injection, Osteoarthritis knee, Platelet rich plasmaAbstract
Introduction: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an alternative treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee (OA Knee). While PRP treatment has shown promising clinical outcomes through its anti-inflammatory mechanisms and growth factors, literature reviews reveal debates regarding its short- and long-term efficacy, as well as safety concerns and the complexity of the preparation process, which may hinder its therapeutic outcomes. Objective: To standardize the PRP preparation process for treating OA Knee and evaluate the treatment outcomes. Methods: The study was conducted on 50 patients with OA Knee from December 1, 2021, to November 30, 2022. PRP was prepared according to standardized protocols, and the outcomes at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment. The primary outcomes included platelet concentration in the PRP, pain intensity measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and functional improvement assessed by the WOMAC score. Results: A total of 47 patients completed follow-up, with a mean age of 64.76 ± 7.3 years. The majority had advanced OA (stage 3-4; 41 patients). Platelet concentration in PRP significantly increased by 2.7 times after centrifugation compared to baseline (258,562 ± 78,204 vs. 702,621 ± 718,621 platelets/mm³). Pain levels measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) significantly decreased from a baseline of 6.7 ± 1.19 to 3.7 ± 1.38, 2.77 ± 1.20, and 2.68 ± 1.2 at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Knee function and quality of life, as assessed by the WOMAC score, also showed significant improvement. The baseline score of 43.32 ± 14.91 decreased to 31.00 ± 16.26, 26.80 ± 15.41, and 25.31 ± 13.74 at the same time intervals. Conclusion: Standardizing the PRP preparation process is feasible in hospital settings and offers an effective treatment option for OA Knee. The treatment demonstrated significant pain reduction and improved knee quality of life (WOMAC score) for up to 6 months post-treatment.
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