Therapeutic efficacy of intra-articular injection of platelet–rich plasma and ozone therapy in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

BackgroundPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) and ozone therapy have been proposed as therapeutically efficient agents for the management of pain in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Aim of the workTo reveal the efficiency of intra-articular injection of PRP and ozone therapy in the treatment of patients with primary KOA compared to a basic rehabilitation program. Patients and methods60 patients with KOA were randomly classified into 3 groups (20 patients each); group I received intra-articular PRP injection, group II received ozone and group III performed a rehabilitation program. All patients were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) and 6-min walk test at baseline and after 1 and 3 months. ResultsThe patients mean age was 55 ± 4.5 years and were 46 females: 14 males (F:M 29:3). The age and gender were comparable among the 3 groups. There was high significant difference between PRP and others 2 groups as regard VAS after 1 and 3 months treatment (p < 0.001) while there was insignificant difference between groups II and III after one month from treatment; but there was significant difference between them at three months. After treatment regarding WOMAC score there was a significant difference between studied groups after 1 and 3 months of treatment (p < 0.05) while there was an insignificant difference between groups regarding 6 min–walk test after 1 and 3 months. ConclusionThe use of autologous PRP is an efficient treatment of KOA and resulted in better outcomes than ozone therapy up to 3 months.