Is Platelet-Rich Plasma a Promising Treatment In Severe Knee Osteoarthritis?

Although evidence is insufficient, due to being an autologous application with low risk, low cost and potential contribution to the improvement, PRP is emerging as a method to be investigated more. In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma injection in knee osteoarthritis by comparing with physical therapy. Seventy patients were included in this study. Patients were randomized into 2 groups; platelet rich plasma (n = 35) and physical therapy (n = 35). Staging of the knee osteoarthritis was made according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. At the beginning of treatment (first evaluation step), at the end of treatment (second evaluation step) and 3 months after the end of treatment (third evaluation step) range of motion, VAS pain, WOMAC, SF-36 and Beck depression inventory were investigated. There were no difference between the groups according to demographic data. At the end of the treatment and 3 months after the end of the treatment, significant improvement in range of motion has been detected in both groups, pain was reduced significantly in both groups and when WOMAC scores were compared, improvement was observed in both groups. However, in comparison, at the second and third evaluation steps, improvement at the WOMAC scores of platelet rich plasma group was significantly better than the physical therapy group. When we compare with physical therapy, platelet-rich plasma is seem to be a well tolerated application that shows encouraging clinical results in patients with knee osteoarthritis.