Examining the cytokine profiles of whole blood and autologous protein solution of patients with osteoarthritis: preliminary results

Abstract

surgery) and total used of rescue medication (acetaminophen/diclofenac). Cartilage volume measurements were assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at preoperative period and 1 year after operation. Results: All patients completed 1 year of study period. After the surgery, all subscales of WOMAC scores in both groups were significantly improved (p<0.001) when compare to baseline levels. However, there were no differences between the two groups. Patients who received intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections had significantly reduce the amount of diclofenac consumption (p¼0.017). MRI studies showed significantly increase of the total cartilage volume (p¼0.033), lateral femoral volume (p¼0.044) and lateral tibial volume (p¼0.027) in the study group compared to the control group. In addition, loss of lateral tibial plateau cartilage volume was showed only in the control group. There were no severe adverse events in both groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated positive synergistic effect for using continuous intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who underwent high tibial osteotomy. Base on our finding, intra-articular hyaluronic acid may beneficial to increased total cartilage volume and prevented the loss of cartilage at lateral tibiofemoral joint after high tibial osteotomy. Further long term studies with larger number of patients are warranted.