Role of Intra-articular Platelet Rich Plasma in the Management of Osteoarthritis: A Review.

Ujala Zubair,Zarafshan Zubair,Osama Salam

doi:10.7759/cureus.3359

Abstract

Intra-articular injections are a minimally invasive option developed for the management of patients with joint degenerative conditions. These injections can involve the use of steroid preparations, hyaluronic acid, and blood products. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a cost-effective management modality developed for patients with joint degenerative conditions and has provided promising outcomes. It provides nourishment to the chondrocytes through a rich supply of growth factors and cytokines. This article demonstrates the beneficial effects of PRP therapy in patients with osteoarthritis.

Highlights

BackgroundOsteoarthritis is defined as a pathological condition involving the cartilage as well as synovium
Osteoarthritis was considered as a condition involving only the cartilage but this is accepted as a condition involving the whole joint including the synovium, subchondral bone, ligaments, and menisci
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a cost-effective management modality developed for patients with cartilage damage

Summary

Introduction

Osteoarthritis is defined as a pathological condition involving the cartilage as well as synovium. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a cost-effective management modality developed for patients with cartilage damage. Intra-articular preparations involving corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and platelet-rich plasma. Better pain control was demonstrated among the 30 patients that were given PRGF as compared to the other 30 who received intra-articular hyaluronic acid [27]. Autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) is platelet-rich plasma with low concentration When both management modalities were compared, it was observed that better pain control and improvement in symptoms was achieved with the use of intraarticular ACP. Three intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma were given to patients with different knee degenerative conditions having a low degree of degenerative changes. These patients were followed up for a 12-month interval.

Conclusions

Findings

Disclosures