Abstract: Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis in the world. With the Progressive ageing of the population, it becomes a major problem of public health. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative affection characterised by many disorders leading to structural and functional defect of one or several joints. OA incidence increases steadily with age, affecting 12.1% of the population from 25 to 74 years old, and it is the leading cause of physical disability in people older than 65 years
Objectives
• To Assess the Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Primary Osteoarthritis of Knee receiving Intra-articular injections of Platelet Rich Plasma and High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid using ‘WOMAC’ scores, ‘IKDC’ scores and ‘VAS’ pain scales
• To compare the Clinical Outcomes between patients receiving Intra-articular PRP and HMW Hyaluronic Acid
Materials and Methods
Methodology: 44 Patients with primary OA of knee, were divided into two groups of 22 each. One group was administered intra-articular injections of PRP and the other group was administered intra-articular injections of Hyaluronic Acid. The functional outcome was assessed before administration of injection and at 6 months follow-up using subjective questionnaire scoring systems i.e. WOMAC, IKDC and VAS indices.
Results: Out of the 44 patients, 33 were females, and 11 males. The average age of patients in Group A was 51.55±6.93 years and 53.27±7.73 years in Group B. 68.2% of patients in the study had bilateral affection. The mean duration of symptoms at time of presentation was 17.27±10.71 months in Group A and 23.64±14.12 months in Group B. The Improvement in functional outcome scores in Group A (WOMAC- 12.980, P<0.001; IKDC-11.680, P<0.001; VAS- 2.773, P<0.001) were significantly better than that of Group B (WOMAC- 6.685, P<0.001; IKDC-8.501, P<0.001; VAS- 1.773, P<0.001)
Conclusion: The results obtained in our study compare well with other studies undertaken in the past. Patients of both groups showed statistically significant improvement in functional outcome at 6months follow-up. The functional outcome of patients receiving Platelet Rich Plasma was significantly better than those receiving Hyaluronic Acid. Therefore PRP is superior to HA in alleviating symptoms and improving short outcome of Kellegren Lawrence Grade 1 and 2 Osteoarthritis Knee. Hence Intra-articular PRP Injections can be considered a safe, simple and efficacious option over that of Hyaluronic Acid in conservative management of Osteoarthritis of Knee.
