Treatment With Platelet-Rich Plasma Is More Effective Than Placebo for Knee Osteoarthritis

Specific growth factors have been proposed as therapeutic proteins for cartilage repair. HYPOTHESIS: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) provides symptomatic relief in early osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

A total of 78 patients (156 knees) with bilateral OA were divided randomly into 3 groups. Group A (52 knees) received a single injection of PRP, group B (50 knees) received 2 injections of PRP 3 weeks apart, and group C (46 knees) received a single injection of normal saline. White blood cell (WBC)-filtered PRP with a platelet count 3 times that of baseline (PRP type 4B) was administered in all. All the groups were homogeneous and comparable in baseline characteristics. Clinical outcome was evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire before treatment and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment. They were also evaluated for pain by a visual analog scale, and overall satisfaction with the procedure and complications were noted.