Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a new treatment option for patients with knee osteoarthritis due to the presence of various growth factors. Despite a variety of non-surgical treatment options, the patients experience pain and limited physical activity. A prospective study was carried out on 50 patients visiting the outpatient department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sharif Medical City Hospital, Lahore. The patients of age ≥40 years with knee pain for greater than 3 months and radiological evidence of articular damage (grades 1-3 of Kellgren-Lawrence scale) were enrolled in the study and asked to fill the WOMAC questionnaire. Using aseptic technique, 3 injections of PRP were given intra-articularly at 1 week intervals with follow-up at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year of the last PRP injection. Each parameter of the WOMAC index was compared with the baseline score at each follow-up. A statistically significant difference (p-value=0.001) was found when the pretreatment pain score was compared with the mean pain score at follow-up after 1 year. Joint stiffness and physical functioning of the joint also improved significantly after 1 year of treatment (p-value <0.001).
WOMAC Index Parameters Before and After Treatment with PRP Injections