Role of platelet rich plasma in patients of osteoarthritis knee-a prospective study

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of 2 courses of PRP injections with 3 weeks interval, on patient's quality of life and functional ability.

It was a prospective study carried out on 55 patients (14 males & 41 females) in the Department of Orthopedics’, Era's Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow, and Uttar Pradesh from Sep 2015 to March 2016. Age >40 years, Knee arthralgia (>3 months) and Radiologic evidence of articular damage (grades 1–3 of Kellgren-Lawrence scale) based on knee Osteoarthritis criteria of American College of Rheumatology were enrolled in our study. Two intra-articular injections of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) at 3 weeks interval was given and patient was regularly followed up after 3^rd week, 6^th week, 3 months & 6 months of the 1^st injection

Mean scores of all WOMAC parameters improved significantly compared to before treatment. Each Parameter of the WOMAC Score was compared with baseline score at each follow-up. Reduction in the mean pain, mean physical function and mean total womac scores from base line scores were observed during the course of 1^st (3 weeks) &2^nd (6 weeks) follow-ups then after marginal increase in scores were reported during 3^rd (3 months) and 4^th (6 months)follow ups but difference in mean of all scores were significant with the respective base line scores.

The results of our study showed that intra-articular knee injections of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) are effective in reducing joint pain, stiffness and improve knee functions in early knee Osteoarthritis.