Effectiveness of using autologous platelet cryolysate after knee arthroscopy

Background. The need to enhance the effectiveness of osteoarthritis (ОА) treatment stems from the goal of improving patient prognosis, accelerating rehabilitation, and reducing complications. The aim was to study the effectiveness of various methods of treating knee ОА, in particular using autologous platelet lysate (APL), stem cells, and traditional approaches, to optimise therapeutic strategies. Materials and methods. This study analysed data from a clinical investigation involving 60 patients with knee ОА stages I–III. Depending on the treatment method, the patients were divided into three groups: the first group received autologous platelet cryolysate (APC), the second group received stem cell therapy, and the third group received conventional ОА treatment. A comprehensive, multifactorial analysis assessed clinical indicators, including pain level on the visual analogue scale (VAS), joint functionality on the Lysholm scale, quality of life on the EQ-5D scale, recovery duration, and complication rates across different treatment groups. Results. The study confirmed that APL provided the most favourable clinical outcomes. Twelve months post-treatment, pain levels in the APL group decreased to 1.2 ± 0.5 units on the VAS scale, the lowest among all groups. Functional indicators on the Lysholm scale improved to 88, while the average time to full recovery was reduced to 43 months. Additionally, the study highligh­ted the importance of individualised therapeutic approaches based on the ОА stage. APL demonstrated the highest efficacy in early-stage ОА, making early intervention highly beneficial. Combining APL with surgical methods showed promising results in moderate and severe cases. Conclusion. The findings indicate that APL the­rapy is the most effective treatment for knee ОА, significantly reducing pain, improving joint function, and accelerating recovery compared to stem cell therapy and traditional treatments. Given its regenerative potential, safety, and efficiency, APL represented a promising therapeutic approach.