RESUMO
Background: Osteoarthritis [OA] is the most common type of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease. OA is usually defined according to radiographic changes. Conventional radiographs [CR] were considered the most relevant outcome measure to assess the progression of OA in clinical trials and epidemiological studies. Many modalities are used in treatment of knee OA. There is a distinct need for new procedures that are cost effective by reducing the need for pharmaceutical and surgical management, while targeting the biochemical process of OA. Platelet-rich plasma [PRP] is one of these new procedures. PRP was found to increase hyaluronic acid [HA] concentration, stabilizing angiogenesis in patients with osteoarthritic knees
Aim of the study: Was to assess the value of intra articular injection of autologous platelet rich plasma in management of knee osteoarthritis
Patients and methods: This study was conducted on 40 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis, divided into 2 groups; study group treated with 3 injections of PRP, and control group treated with single dosed high-molecular weight HA. Clinical assessment and visual analogue scale [VAS] scoring were done pretreatment and 3 months post treatment
Results: Clinical improvement and reduction of VAS in both groups which is significant at the study group
Conclusion: PRP injection could be considered as a simple, safe, effective and non-palliative treatment that may promote cartilage healing in knee osteoarthritis as it improve the clinical condition and the function of the joint. Hence, it may represent a useful addition to the available therapeutic options for knee osteoarthritis