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Platelet-rich plasma 'improves pain and function' in knee osteoarthritis

Published on 15 February 2013

A treatment called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) could be beneficial for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, scientists have found.

PRP is produced from a patient's own blood and contains a high concentration of growth factors that can promote healing.

Once the platelets have been concentrated, they are injected into the affected knee, where the growth factors and stem cells may help to repair the damaged tissue, ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis and decrease inflammation.

Doctors at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York have carried out a study involving PRP, which was given to 15 patients with early osteoarthritis. 

Each patient received a 6ml injection of PRP and was monitored for one year to assess their knee pain, stiffness and function, as well as their ability to perform daily activities.

MRI scans were also performed after one year to see if there were changes in the patients' knee cartilage.

The researchers found that PRP injections typically brought about improvements in pain, function and ability to perform daily activities.

In the majority of cases, there was also no further cartilage loss in the year following the injections.

Lead author Dr Brian Halpern, whose findings are published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, described this achievement as "very significant", as patients with osteoarthritis typically lose about five per cent of knee cartilage per year.

He said: "We are entering into an era of biologic treatment, which is incredibly ideal, where you can use your own cells to try to help repair your other cells, rather than using a substance that is artificial.

"The downside is next to zero and the upside is huge."

However, the expert conceded that larger studies - including trials that compare PRP with existing treatments - are needed.

A spokesman for Arthritis Research UK concurred that while the study was interesting and PRP might have potential, the numbers of patients in whom it had been tested so far were small, and further larger studies were needed to confirm the findings.

Source:

• http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/news/general-news/2013/february/platelet-rich-plasma-improves-pain-and-function-in-knee-osteoarthritis.aspx