Clinical and Functional Outcomes Following Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background and objective Knee osteoarthritis (OA), a common degenerative joint disease, often leads to chronic pain and disability, particularly in middle-aged individuals. With growing interest in regenerative therapies, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a potential biological treatment due to its anti-inflammatory and reparative properties. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes following intra-articular PRP injections in patients with early-stage knee OA. Methodology A prospective clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary care center involving 113 patients diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1 or 2 knee osteoarthritis. Each participant received a single intra-articular PRP injection and was followed for 24 weeks. Pain and functional outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)-CRD at baseline, and at six, 12, and 24 weeks post-injection. Results At every follow-up, both VAS and WOMAC scores demonstrated significant reductions (p < 0.001). Patients with grade 1 OA showed greater improvement compared to those with grade 2 at all time points. While VAS scores decreased from 5.87 to 2.85, the average WOMAC score fell from 32.81 at baseline to 24.89 after 24 weeks. Better results were strongly connected with younger age and lower radiographic grade. Conclusions Our results align with existing research supporting the effectiveness of PRP in managing early osteoarthritis. The treatment showed consistent symptom relief, particularly in younger patients and those with lower radiographic grades. Over a six-month period, intra-articular PRP injections offered significant pain reduction and functional improvement in early-stage knee OA, establishing it as a safe and effective therapy.