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

Introduction: 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. Materials and Method: 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 3rd week, 6th week, 3 months & 6 months of the 1st injection Results: 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 1st (3 weeks) &2nd (6 weeks) follow-ups then after marginal increase in scores were reported during 3rd (3 months) and 4th (6 months)follow ups but difference in mean of all scores were significant with the respective base line scores. Conclusion: 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. Keywords: Platelet Rich Plasma, Knee Osteoarthritis