Abstract
Intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been established as a suitable treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Here, we present a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted in a public Hospital of the Spanish National Health Care System, to evaluate the efficacy of injecting autologous PRP versus hyaluronic acid (HA) in knee osteoarthritis. PRP was manufactured in Malaga’s Regional Blood Center (Spain). Patients that met the eligibility criteria were randomized into a PRP group or a HA group. Pain and functional improvements were assessed pre- and post-treatment (three and six months follow-up) using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); the Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome System (KOOS) scale and the European Quality of Life scale (EUROQOL). Both groups presented pain reduction at six months. The VAS scores for the PRP group improved by at least 50% from their initial value, particularly at three months following the final infiltration, with results resembling those of the HA group at six months. PRP was more effective in patients with lower osteoarthritis grades. Both treatments improved pain in knee osteoarthritis patients without statistically significant differences between them. However, PRP injection was proved to improve pain three months after the final infiltration and to be more effective in lower osteoarthritis grades.
Highlights
The increase in average life expectancy and the high incidence of knee arthritis has led to a search for less aggressive alternatives to joint replacement with a lower financial impact on the health system
The main growth factors contained in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor β (TGF β), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)
We demonstrate that stored autologous PRP frozen samples seem to maintain the necessary growth factors for promoting a beneficial effect on pain decrease in osteoarthritis patients
Summary
The increase in average life expectancy and the high incidence of knee arthritis has led to a search for less aggressive alternatives to joint replacement with a lower financial impact on the health system. Bioactive cytokines and proteins from the platelet’s alpha granules induce chemotaxis, cellular migration, proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix production [1]. These proteins increase the release of angiogenic growth factors [2,3] contributing to tissue regeneration and cicatrisation [4]. The main growth factors contained in PRP are platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor β (TGF β), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) These factors have been proved to be involved in chondrogenesis and cartilage regeneration [5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
