Effectiveness of intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma in isolated patellofemoral arthritis

Abstract

Background Adults commonly develop isolated patellofemoral arthritis (PFA). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was beneficial in the conservative treatment of tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis. This study compares patient complaints prior to and following PRP injection for isolated PFA during conservative treatment. Patients and methods The study included 18 female patients with unilateral PFA between the ages of 25 and 40. They received a single dose of PRP injections after failing to respond to conservative treatment. The outcome measures, which included the visual analog scale and Kujala scores, were compared with a matched group of 18 patients managed conservatively but successfully. Both groups got the same physiotherapy treatment and kept up with it, until the final assessment for a year. Results At the final follow-up, the PRP group’s visual analog scale was significantly improved compared with their pre-injection status, with a P value of 0.001. However, no statistically significant difference was evident between the PRP and the non-PRP groups that improved with conservative treatment (P>0.9). Comparable results were present between the two groups’ Kujala scores. Conclusion Patients with isolated PFA who do not respond to conservative treatment may benefit from a single PRP injection, which may postpone or eliminate the need for surgical treatment. Level of evidence: III, a retrospective case–control study.