Efficacy and outcome of platelet rich plasma in management of primary osteoarthritis Knee; A prospective study

Abstract

Introduction: The present management line of osteoarthritis of knee is mostly symptomatic, therefore the need to investigate treatment modality which addresses the disease process in itself. This study was undertaken with an aim to evaluate the efficacy of platelet rich plasma in primary osteoarthritis of knee. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was done on 67 knees in 60 patients of early primary osteoarthritis of the knee. Three injections of platelet rich plasma were given at four weeks interval and the outcome was evaluated using WOMAC and VAS score at pre injection, 3 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Ahlback’s grading was done at pre-injection and at 6 months. Results: Most of the cases in our series were in the age group of 51-60 years with female predominance (66.7%), 46 cases had grade 2 disease and the remaining had grade 1 involvement. Improvement in WOMAC score parameters started at 3 weeks with progressive improvement at subsequent follow-ups. WOMAC score parameters (pain, stiffness, physical function and total score) at pre injection were 14.31, 5.01, 36.52 and 55.75 and at 6 months follow up were 6.54, 2.03, 19.07 and 27.66 respectively. Similar improvement was seen in VAS score with pre injection score of 6.45 and final score of 3.76. The average WOMAC score was less for grade 1 as compared to grade 2 (45.52 and 60.41). Improvement was seen in 89.55% of cases though the level varied from good to mild improvement. There was no complication related to the treatment in our series. Conclusion: The initial results conclude that PRP is an effective treatment modality in early grades of primary Osteoarthritis of knee. However, further high evidence studies are required to look for the long-term effects and to confirm the findings of this study. Keywords: Platelet rich plasma, osteoarthritis, intra articular injection, PRP in knee.