Single versus Three Doses of Intraarticular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in Treatment of Early Osteoarthritis Knee Joint—A Prospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Background Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which contains a pool of growth factors, appears to offer an easy solution for delivering multiple growth factors needed for tissue repair. The objective of the study is to compare between single versus three doses of intraarticular platelet-rich plasma injection in the treatment of early osteoarthritis knee joint. Materials and Methods A prospective comparative study was done on 100 patients with early osteoarthritis knee who were randomized into two groups in an alternating fashion—single-dose injection and triple-dose injection groups. PRP (5 mL) obtained by double-spin method was injected per knee and followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months and outcomes measured using WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index) and VAS (visual analog scale) scores. Results VAS scores showed a statistically significant difference in triple-dose group at all follow-ups. In WOMAC, such a difference was observed for stiffness subscore at all the follow-ups, but the pain subscore and total score showed an improvement only at the final follow-up with the functional assessment subscore showing no statistical difference at any follow-ups. Conclusion PRP injection appears to be effective in early symptomatic osteoarthritis with better clinical results using a triple-dose regimen.