Abstract: Background and Objectives: Global reports (2020) state that an annual 86.7 million people (age >20 years) are diagnosed with incident knee Osteoarthritis. Various therapies and medications have been given to treat this condition and one such upcoming therapy is the use of Platelet-rich plasma. In spite of the promising outcomes, some experts in the field are yet skeptical about the use of Platelet-rich plasma therapy to treat osteoarthritis. In this study, the investigators attempt to measure the clinical outcome of platelet-rich plasma therapy in patients with progression of mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
Methods: Analysis of 102 patient records was carried out from the years 2016-2020 to assess the clinical outcome of the intra-articular Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection in the progression of mild to moderate osteoarthritis patients from the period of pre-injection to 12 months post-injection. Assessment tools such as the VAS and the WOMAC score were used. IBM SPSS software version 1.0 was used for the statistical data analysis.
Results: Medical records analyzed of the patients showed a gradual decrease in pain, observed over a period of 12 months post-injection (as assessed by the VAS and WOMAC score). Significant reduction in swelling (Friedman test: Chi-square = 199.68, P< 0.0001) and tenderness (Friedman test: Chi-square = 199.14, P< 0.0001) was also observed.
Conclusion: A significant reduction in pain, swelling, tenderness and improvement in function was observed post 12 months of the injection given. The results are encouraging when compared to pre-injection pain and symptoms, suggesting a positive clinical use of PRP injections for mild to moderate osteoarthritic patients.
