Arthroscopic Debridement Combined With Platelet-Rich Plasma is a Viable Option for the Treatment of Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of arthroscopic debridement combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy in treating advanced ankle osteoarthritis (OA).DesignThe data of 34 advanced ankle OA patients were retrospectively analyzed, with 17 patients undergoing arthroscopic debridement alone (No-PRP group) and 17 receiving debridement with PRP therapy (PRP group). The Self-Administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire (SAFE-Q) was evaluated preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The complications were assessed throughout the follow-up period.ResultsIn the PRP group, all SAFE-Q subscales significantly improved at 6- and 12-month post-treatment compared with baseline (<i>P</i> < 0.05), whereas improvements in the No-PRP group were limited. For severe ankle OA patients, only the pain-related subscale of the SAFE-Q significantly improved from baseline in the No-PRP group (<i>P</i> < 0.05). In contrast, all SAFE-Q subscales demonstrated significant improvement at 12 months postoperatively in the PRP group (<i>P</i> < 0.05). The recurrence rates were 23.5% in the No-PRP group and 11.8% in the PRP group.ConclusionArthroscopic debridement combined with PRP therapy for advanced ankle OA significantly improved all SAFE-Q subscales postoperatively, whereas debridement alone had limited benefits. This combination may offer an effective treatment for advanced ankle OA.