The Role of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Knee

Abstract

Osteoarthritis represents failure of the joint where all the structures have suffered pathologic changes mainly hyaline cartilage degeneration. It is highly prevalent especially in old age group, and its ill impact on daily activities makes it a leading cause of disability in the older age group. To evaluate the effectiveness of autologous platelet rich plasma in treatment of osteoarthritis knee in reducing pain, stiffness and improving physical function and to find out the efficacy of platelet rich plasma in the treatment of osteoarthritis knee as a disease modifying, cost effective conservative modality. Total 60 patients were selected for the study fulfilling the inclusion criteria and were randomly divided into two groups of control (normal saline) and test (PRP) and were assessed using WOMAC scale and VAS scale for the assessment of pain stiffness and physical function, follow up was done at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. The global WOMAC score (PRP) showed a mean of 73.3 at pre-injection period which decreased to 61.6 at 6 weeks follow up and 46.03 at 3 months follow up which reduced to 32.1 at 6 months. The mean pain score (PRP) reduced from 16.4 to 11.7 at 6 weeks post injection and 7.36 at 3 months post injection. At the end of 6 months follow up, mean pain score was found to be 5.5. The mean pain score in group 2 (control group) showed a marginal decrease from 16.2 to 13.9 at 6 weeks post injection but returned to 15.7 at 6 months follow up. Though the patients injected with normal saline as control group showed initial improvement with reduction of pain due to placebo effect, their symptoms reappeared after some time during the follow up. Thus we can conclude that autologous platelet rich plasma is an interesting modality for conservative treatment of osteoarthritis knee and has proved to be efficacious and cost effective measure in the observation period of six months..