EFFECTIVENESS OF PLATELET RICH PLASMA FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF GRADE I,II,III AND IV KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent degenerative joint disease, characterized by cartilage degradation, pain, and functional impairment. Conventional treatments provide symptomatic relief but do not halt disease progression. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is emerging as a regenerative therapy due to its high concentration of growth factors, which promote tissue repair and inflammation modulation. The potential benefits of PRP in managing knee osteoarthritis warrant further clinical evaluation.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in the management of knee osteoarthritis across different severity grades.

Methods: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, from December 2022 to July 2023, following ethical approval. A total of 104 individuals aged ≥35 years with radiographically confirmed knee osteoarthritis and persistent knee pain were enrolled. Participants were randomized into two groups: PRP (5 mL intra-articular PRP injections) and NS (5 mL intra-articular normal saline injections), administered weekly for three weeks. Pain severity was assessed at baseline, one, three, and six months post-treatment using the 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0, with a chi-square test for treatment efficacy (p<0.05 considered significant).

Results: At baseline, the mean VAS score was 52.2±16.9 in the PRP group and 50.9±14.8 in the NS group (p=0.636). In the PRP group, VAS scores significantly decreased to 42.6±16.2 at one month (p=0.0203), 29.54±11.8 at three months (p<0.0001), and 19.2±8.6 at six months (p<0.0001). The NS group showed minimal pain reduction with VAS scores of 47±22.7 at one month (p=0.6714), 44±16.6 at three months (p=0.1123), and 41±21.7 at six months (p=0.0615). PRP therapy demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness, with 47 individuals achieving >50% pain reduction compared to 16 in the NS group (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Platelet-rich plasma is an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis, significantly reducing pain and improving joint function. The findings support PRP as a promising alternative to conventional therapies, particularly in individuals with moderate disease severity.