Chitarth Rajasekaran

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for osteoarthrosis (OA) is still controversial. We investigated the effect of PRP injections in patients with knee osteoarthrosis based on decreasing pain, improving function. Purpose: To assess the outcome of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections into the knee in patients with early stages of osteoarthrosis (OA). Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study in which 50 knees were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Two intra articular injections were injected at one month interval. The outcome was assessed usingWOMAC and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) recorded prior to injection and then at 1, 3 and 6 months after second injection. Results: There was a significant improvement in all scores over time compared to the pre-treatment value (p < 0> follow upto 3.6 (48.1% reduction in pain). Mean total WOMAC score initially at baseline was found to be with 79.58. There was reduction in the WOMAC score during follow up. The WOMAC score at the end of the study was 37.66 with significant reduction. From the third month of follow up, there was significant improvement of VAS score and WOMAC score (VAS score - p value was less than 0.001, WOMAC- p value was 0.0001). Conclusions: On the basis of the current evidence, PRP injections reduced pain more effectively than did placebo injections in osteoarthrosis of the knee. Additionally, function improved significantly more with PRP injections. We need large randamized multi centric study to test whether PRP injections should be a routine part of management of patients with osteoarthrosis of the knee. Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Intra-articular PRP injections.

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