Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood product with widespread use in recent years to increase regeneration in many joints and tissues. Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative process increasing with age and causing chronic pain. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the short-term effectiveness of intra-articular PRP injection, used to provide cartilage regeneration, on chronic pain in osteoarthritic knees. 60 patients with stage 1-4 knee osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale (K-L) were included in the study. Three doses of PRP were injected into the knee joint once every three weeks. All three initial measurements were made before injection. Chronic pain of the patients was evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scales on Day 1, Week 3, Week 6, Week 12, and Month 6. 6 months of follow-ups for all 60 patients were completed. Mean baseline values were measured as follows: VAS 8.63 ± 1.0, and KOOS Pain 22.11 ± 13.7, KOOS Sympt 24.80 ± 18.3, KOOS Function 24.90 ± 15.7, KOOS Sport 13.00 ± 11, 6, KOOS QoL 16.16 ± 10.2. Mean values measured during the last follow-up were as follows: VAS 2.30 ± 1.0, and KOOS Pain 81.20 ± 11.7, KOOS Sympt 81.78 ± 12.5, KOOS Function 78.08 ± 10.9, KOOS Sport 73.58 ± 11.7, KOOS QoL 68.91 ± 10.7 values. Significant improvements were observed in VAS and KOOS values after injection compared to the baseline values (p = 0.001 for all). Treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) with PRP injection is safe in terms of adverse reactions. PRP seems to be effective in managing pain and improving quality of life in all osteoarthritis stages, especially in patients with K-Lgrade 1-2 knee OA.
Key words: Gonarthrosis, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), kellgren-lawrence grading scale, the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), injection
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