Therapeutic Potential of Platelet-rich Plasma as a Conservative Treatment in Managing Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Clinical Evaluation
Sunita Ashok Lawange, Kiran Ajay AgrawalBackground:
This prospective study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). PRP, an autologous blood derivative enriched with growth factors, cytokines, and other bioactive molecules, has shown potential in managing OA symptoms.
Methods:
A total of 110 patients (62 females and 48 males, mean age years 60.7 ±7.64, age range 40–70) received a series of three PRP injections between January 2024 and August 2024 and completed all follow-up evaluations. Clinical outcomes were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline (T0), 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2), and 6 months (T3) posttreatment.
Results:
The total WOMAC scores showed a significant reduction across all time points, decreasing from 28.50 ± 15.50 at T0 to 9.50 ± 6.53 at T3 (
Conclusion:
PRP injections appear to be a safe and effective nonsurgical treatment option for knee OA, leading to pain reduction and improved function and quality of life over a midterm follow-up period of 6 months.