Assessment of Clinical Outcome Based on Womac Score Between Intra-Articular Injection of Platelet Rich Plasma and Long Acting Corticosteriod in Stage Ii-Iii Kelgren-Lawrence Osteoarthritis of Knee
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Abstract
Introduction: Osteoarthritis is chronic degenerative condition of joint characterized by progressive deterioration of cartilage and inflammation, causing pain and limiting functional of joints. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections are most commonly used to reduce the symptoms in Osteoarthritis, but their effects are often last for short-term and may come with risks factors. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous treatment, has evolved into a potential alternative method to improve the limitation of joint function that may provide more sustainable relief.
Objective: This study is to determine clinical outcomes of intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma and steroids for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis over a period of 6 months follow-up. The focus of this study is to measuring the extent of pain relief and functional improvement.
Methods: A prospective randomized control study was conducted in 50 patients diagnosed with Grade II and III knee OA. Patients allocated randomly into two groups: Group A (corticosteroid injection) and Group B (PRP injection). All the patients had undergone a Clinical examination and then outcome were assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) for function at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months.
Results: Both modality of treatment showed improvements in pain and function, with PRP showed a better reduction of VAS and WOMAC scores. At end of 6 months, VAS score in Group A decreased by 2.5 points, while Group B showed reduction of only 4.2-point. WOMAC total scores in Group B improved more significantly reduction in pain, stiffness, and function improvement compared to Group A.
Conclusion: In our study both corticosteroid and platelet rich plasma showed significant reduction in pain and improving function of KL grade II & III osteoarthritis knee. Intra-articular PRP injection showed significant short-term similar reduction of pain but knee function with no significant difference when compared to corticosteroids therapy at end of follow-up. However, PRP treatment resulted in a longer sustained effect. Intra-articular PRP injection is safe, it can reduce pain, and it can improve knee function of patients with mild/moderate knee OA for longer period.