Prospects for the use of platelet-rich plasma in the complex treatment of stage II–III osteochondritis dissecans of femoral condyles in children: A preliminary report

BACKGROUND:Osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyles is characterized by subchondral bone lesions, with subsequent formation ofanosteonecrosis area. In nearly half of the cases, gonarthrosis developed in the long-term period despite timely treatment of such patients, including children. The development of new techniques and the improvement of existing ones will help enhance the treatment results of patients with this pathology. AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of treatment inasmall clinical series of pediatric patients with osteochondritis dissecans by triple injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) according to the developed scheme in combination with revascularizing tunnelization of the lesion area. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Seven patients with stage I or II osteochondritis dissecans were treated by revascularizing stimulation of the osteonecrosis center by triple injections of PRP (the first procedure was conducted intraoperatively intraosseously and the two other injections subsequently intraarticularly). The follow-up period was10 (611)months, withamaximum duration of 12 months. RESULTS:The observation results demonstrateahigh efficacy of PRP therapy to enhance the effect of mechanical methods of osteochondrogenesis stimulation in children with osteochondritis dissecans. CONCLUSIONS:The use of orthobiological technologies isanactively developing and promising approach in the complex treatment of children with osteochondritis dissecans of the femur condyles. However, further observation is required to evaluate the long-term results.