Title:Does Intra-Articular Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma Have an Effect on Cartilage Thickness in Patients with Primary Knee Osteoarthritis?

VOLUME: 17 ISSUE: 3

Author(s):Noha M Abdel Baki*, Zeinab O. Nawito, Nehal M. S. Abdelsalam, Dina Sabry, Hossam Elashmawy, Nagy A. Seleem, Azza Ali Abdel-azeem Taha and Mohamed El Ghobashy

Affiliation:Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al Ainy, Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al Ainy, Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Dar Alsalam hospital, Ministry of Health, Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al Ainy, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Pathology, Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Menoufia University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al Ainy, Department of Radiology

Keywords:Osteoarthritis, platelet-rich plasma, chondroprotective drugs, WOMAC, ultrasonography, cartilage thickness.

Abstract:Objectives: To determine the effect of intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) by clinical evaluation and ultrasonographic (US) assessment of cartilage thickness.

Patients and Methods: A total of 100 patients with mild to severe primary knee OA using the Kellgren- Lawrence (K-L) grading scale were included and divided into two groups. Group I included 50 patients who were given two intra-articular knee injections of PRP, 1 week apart; Group II included 50 patients who received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and chondroprotective drugs. Functional assessment of all OA patients was done using the basal WOMAC score, at 2 and 6 months. US assessment of femoral condylar cartilage thickness was conducted basally and at 6 months. Results: Improvement of WOMAC score was observed at 2 and 6 months in Group I following PRP injection compared to Group II (p values Conclusion: Treatment with PRP injections can reduce pain and improve knee function in patients with various degrees of articular degeneration. Further studies are needed to clarify the anabolic effect of PRP on the articular cartilage.