Effect of single intra-articular injection of Platelet Rich Plasma for the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Avinash Rastogi; Manvender Gaur; Gaurav Menwal; Arunim Swarup; Aseem Pal Singh

Volume : X, Issue : IV, April - 2020

Effect of single intra-articular injection of Platelet Rich Plasma for the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Avinash Rastogi, Manvender Gaur, Gaurav Menwal, Arunim Swarup, Aseem Pal Singh

Abstract :

Purpose : To study efficacy of low cost minimally invasive intra–articular Platelet–Rich Plasma (IA PRP) injections in Osteoarthritis Knee(OA knee) by providing tissue regenerative growth factors. Assessment was done in terms of symptomatic improvement. Methods : This was a prospective study of 12 months in 40 patients. 4 were lost in the follow up – thus 36 only could be included in the study. All KOA patients of mild to moderately severity (Kellgren–Lawrence grades 1 to 3) were treated with a single IA PRP. Clinical evaluation using NRS, KOOS and KSS scores were done at the first injection, 6 weeks, 6 months & 12 months. Complications and adverse events were also recorded. Results : The 36 patients included had a mean age of 53.7 years, including 14 females and 22 males. There were 4 KL grade 1, 30 KL grade 2 & 2 KL grade 3 patients The mean KOOS, NRS and KSS after 6 weeks showed significant improvement with a plateau phase after 6 months and deterioration after 12 months but the final scores continued to remain above the baseline. All KOOS subscales [Symptoms, Pain, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Quality of Living (QOL)] except Sports & Recreational Activities had similar pattern as that of the mean total KOOS score. The KOOS subscale sports and recreation had a slightly different pattern i.e. a significant rise after 6 weeks, a fall after 6 month and a plateau phase after 12 months. Conclusion : IA PRP injections for OA Knee show promising results. A single injection of PRP gave significant relief in symptoms, pain, ADL, and QOL, and to a slightly lesser extent in Sports & Recreational Activities. The study was limited being a short study group, absence of a control group and a shortage of grade 1 and grade 3 patients.