THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PLATELET-RICH PLASMA THERAPY IN TREATING KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder characterized by cartilage deterioration, pain, and functional impairment. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has emerged as a promising regenerative treatment due to its potential to modulate inflammation and promote tissue repair. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of PRP in patients with KOA, focusing on pain reduction, functional improvement, and structural changes over a six-month period. Methods: A prospective clinical trial was conducted with 133 patients diagnosed with KOA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 1–3). Participants received three weekly intra-articular PRP injections. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months’ post-treatment using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Knee Society Score (KSS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at baseline and 6 months to evaluate cartilage thickness. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric tests. Results: Significant improvements were observed in all outcome measures. VAS scores decreased from 7.8 ± 1.1 at baseline to 2.0 ± 1.0 at 6 months (p < 0.05) WOMAC scores improved from 65.7 ± 11.4 to 28.6 ± 7.3, and KSS scores increased from 52.6 ± 9.3 to 79.3 ± 8.9 (p < 0.05). MRI revealed modest increases in cartilage thickness, particularly in the medial compartments (0.3 mm in the femoral condyle and 0.2 mm in the tibial plateau). Conclusion: PRP therapy significantly reduced pain, improved joint function, and enhanced quality of life in KOA patients over six months. While structural changes were modest, the clinical outcomes support PRP as an effective conservative treatment for early to moderate KOA. Further research with longer follow-up and control groups is warranted to validate these findings.