Platelet Rich Plasma as a Boon for Osteoarthritic Knees-A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Knee pain is a leading cause of disability and the most prevalent form in the world. It is associated with tissue inflammation, physical disability and imbalanced homeostasis in cartilage. As the number of people with age greater than 35 years increases, so does the prevalence of knee pain and the need for cost effective treatment and care. A treatment strategy is needed which takes into account the underlying physiology of degenerative joint disease, but it should also consider the different age ranges and their needs in different population. Aim: To assess the clinical and functional benefits associated with the use of intra-articular Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in treatment of patients with knee pain of primary Osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study of 50 patients visiting the outpatient department from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2015 with Kellgren and Lawrence Grade 1 and 2 OA knees were evaluated with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) before the treatment and at 1, 3 and 9 months after the PRP intra-articular treatment. Results: Statistically significant improvements in WOMAC scores were noted in all the evaluated measures in all patients. Conclusion: A minimum of two intra-articular injections of PRP is an effective treatment for mild to moderate osteoarthritis of knees.

Keywords

• arthroplasty
• knee
• osteoarthritis