Effect of single or multiple injection of platelet-rich plasma in comparison with hyaluronic acid on knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Aim: To compare the effect of administration of 2 different doses of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and a single dose of hyaluronic acid (HA) preparation on pain and daily life activities of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients.

Method: In this nonrandomized comparative study, three groups of patients who received either a single dose of intraarticular (IA) PRP (PRP1 group), three doses of IA PRP (PRP3 group), or single dose IA HA (HA group) were included. Assessments were before treatment, and in the 3rd week and 6th week after treatment (after the final injection). The pain-visual analog scale (VAS), Euro-Qol (EQ)-5D-3L, EQVAS, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used.

Results: In the 3^rd week, there were statistically significant differences between the PRP1-HA groups in all parameters except EQ5; between PRP3-HA groups in all parameters except EQ5 and WOMAC stiffness; and between PRP3-PRP1 groups in all parameters except EQVAS, WOMAC pain and WOMAC stiffness. In the 6^th week, there were statistically significant differences between the PRP1-HA groups in all parameters except WOMAC stiffness; between PRP3-HA groups in all parameters; and between PRP3-PRP1 groups in all parameters except WOMAC pain.

Conclusion: Intraarticular PRP injections (single or three doses) were found to be more beneficial in the short term in terms of pain and functional improvement than HA injection and administration of three consecutive doses of PRP may be more effective compared to single-dose PRP administration in KOA patients.