Treatment of Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis Using Platlet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Abstract

Degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee is the most common form of arthritis which affects the cartilage. In the past 10 years clinical use of platlet rich plasma has given the patients with knee osteoarthritis a new biological approach for cartilage regeneration. Aim: The aim of this paper is to analyze the benefit of using platlet-rich plasma injections in the treatment of degenerative knee osteoarthritis. Material and methods: We analyzed 50 patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis treated in the University clinic for orthopedic surgery in Skopje. WOMAC index (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis index) was applied in all patients for measurin the pain , stiffness and functional limitation of the knee in the beginning of the treatment and after PRP treatment. PRP injections were applied in all patients, with usual 3 courses of injections after 4-weeks interval between them. Results: 50 patients were evaluated in this study, including 38 woman (76%) and 12 men (24%). The mean age of partisipants was 56.90+/-8.8 years. The mean total WOMAC before treatment was 39.12+/-16.25 and 21.05+/-14.73 after treatment. Conclusions: Our study showed that intra-articular knee injection of PRP can decrease joint pain and stiffness and improve functional limitations of the patients with gonarthrosis and at the same time it can increase their quality of life.