Comparison of intraarticular corticosteroid and autologous platelet rich plasma injection in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: To compare IA corticosteroid and autologous PRP injection in OA knee, in terms of reducing stiffness, alleviating pain, and enhancing physical functionality. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: AFIRM Rawalpindi. Period: Aug 2019 to April 2020. Methods: 70 patients with Knees OA, 40-70 years of age were included. Group A received IA 40 mg Triamcinolone Injection while Group B received PRP Injection in the affected knee. Pain evaluation was carried out using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index at baseline, at 1 month, at 3rd month, and after 6 months and mean changes calculated. Results: Among 70 patients, 36 were male (52%) and 34 were female (48%). No notable differences were observed in age (p=0.210), sex (p=0.811), and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.985) between two groups. Pre-injection pain severity assessed on NRS (p=0.217) and OA severity assessed on WOMAC (p=0.010) differed not between the two groups. At 6 months postinjection, there was significant improvement (p-value < 0.05) in pain relief in Group B (IA PRP) compared to Group A (IA steroid injection). However, at 1 month post injection NRS and WOMAC has shown more improvement between Group A and Group B, a significant difference was observed (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: PRP Injection decreases joint pain and improve quality of life better than corticosteroid injection prolonged periods.