Did you know?

For many years, arthroscopic surgery was one of the go-to treatments for managing knee OA, offering temporary relief by removing loose cartilage and smoothing out damaged areas in the knee joint. However, new research shows that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may actually offer better outcomes for some patients—particularly those with mild to moderate OA—than knee arthroscopy.

A recent study, “A Comparative Study of Osteoarthritis Knee Arthroscopy versus Intra-Articular Platelet Rich Plasma Injection”, sheds light on this comparison. The randomized study evaluated the efficacy of PRP compared to knee arthroscopy in patients with grade 2 and 3 osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence classification). The findings suggest that while both treatments provide pain relief, PRP may be more effective in certain cases, especially over the long term.¹

What the Study Found

The study followed 70 patients over a nine-month period, with one group receiving PRP injections (Group I) and the other undergoing knee arthroscopy (Group II). Both groups were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS), which measure knee function and pain levels, respectively.

Here are the key findings:

• Pain Reduction (VAS): Patients who received PRP saw a more significant reduction in pain at the three- and six-month follow-up points compared to those who underwent arthroscopy. PRP patients experienced a 24.45% reduction in pain after three months, while arthroscopy patients reported an 18.96% reduction. By six months, the gap widened further, with PRP patients reporting an 18.45% pain reduction compared to just 7.33% in the arthroscopy group.
• Knee Function (WOMAC): PRP also showed better results in improving knee function. At the three-month mark, PRP patients experienced a 24.03% improvement in their WOMAC scores, compared to 11.27% for those who had arthroscopy. The difference was even more pronounced at six months, with PRP patients reporting a 17.45% improvement, while arthroscopy patients saw only a 5.70% gain.

These findings indicate that PRP can offer more substantial improvements in both pain relief and joint function for patients with mild to moderate knee OA compared to knee arthroscopy. However, the study also notes that PRP’s benefits are more significant for patients with grade 2 OA than for those with more advanced grade 3 OA.

Why PRP May Be More Effective Than Arthroscopy

While knee arthroscopy aims to physically address structural damage within the joint, PRP works on a cellular level, stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. By delivering concentrated growth factors directly to the damaged tissues, PRP can help regenerate cartilage, reduce inflammation, and promote overall joint repair. This biologic approach may offer a longer-lasting solution than arthroscopy, which often provides only temporary relief.

Arthroscopy also comes with risks, including infection and prolonged recovery times, which are minimized with PRP, a minimally invasive treatment. For patients with mild to moderate OA, PRP represents a safer, more natural way to manage pain and improve joint function without the need for surgery.

Choosing the Right Treatment for Your Knee OA

At Geraci Spine & Sports Medicine, we are committed to providing our patients with the most advanced and effective treatments available. If you are struggling with knee osteoarthritis, PRP may be a better alternative to arthroscopic surgery, especially if you are in the early stages of the disease.

Our team can help evaluate your condition and determine if PRP is right for you. With growing evidence supporting its efficacy, PRP has become a game-changing treatment option for many patients with knee OA.

Contact us today to learn more about how PRP could help you live pain-free and get back to your active lifestyle.

Sources:

1. Singh, N., et al. (2022). “A Comparative Study of Osteoarthritis Knee Arthroscopy versus Intra-Articular Platelet Rich Plasma Injection.” Malays Orthop J.