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PRP likely not superior to viscosupplementation for knee OA
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Researchers of this randomized controlled trial found that compared with hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma did not provide superior clinical improvement and hold that it should not be preferred to viscosupplementation for the treatment of patients with knee cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis.
Researchers assigned 192 patients with unilateral symptomatic knees with a history of chronic pain or swelling and degenerative changes as evidenced by imaging to receive 3 weekly intra-articular injections of either platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or hyaluronic acid (HA). Using the IKDC subjective score, KOOS score, European Quality of Life VAS and Tegner score, patients were prospectively evaluated at baseline and at 2 months, 6 months and 12 months of follow-up. Researchers also recorded range of motion, transpatellar circumference, patient satisfaction and adverse events.
Results showed severe pain and swelling in two patients following HA injections and no major adverse events following PRP. However, researchers found overall significantly more post-injection swelling and pain with PRP. According to study results, both HA and PRP improved knee function and reduced patients’ symptoms, with an increase in IKDC scores as well as other clinical scores used. Among the clinical scores used, researchers found no significant intergroup difference at any follow-up evaluation in a comparative analysis of the two treatment groups. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: Filardo reports he is a consultant to and receives institutional support from Fidia Farmaceutici Spa and receives institutional support from Zimmer Biomet. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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