The Effectiveness of Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections for Symptomatic Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis Joint Swelling or Bone Marrow Lesions. Aug 2024 Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
Now more effective treatments for knee pain and osteoarthritis are becoming more established, particularly within the exciting field of regenerative medicine. Intra-articular joint platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are now becoming more and more frequently used in clinical practice due to the clinical success in treating patients with osteoarthritis. Here at our knee pain clinic in Birmingham, we have been using this fantastic treatment for over 10 years and delighted by the success patients have had with pain and function. Also, the high safety profile PRP treatment has shown over the years.
As we are constantly keeping our eye on research and evidence in this field, here we would like to draw your attention to a new August 2024 double blinded Japanese study. They investigated whether 3 intra-articular joint injections of leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP) improved pain related symptoms and joint dysfunction in patients stuffing with mild to moderate knee OA.
The patient included went on to receive either LP-PRP or saline (placebo) injections between March 2019 and February 2023. Patients attended a screening visit and then received 3 treatment visits at 1 week apart, followed by 3 follow-up visits at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after the initial treatment visit. Efficacy outcome measurements were then adopted along with visual analog scale (VAS) improvement for pain measurement.
In addition, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate joint swelling and effusion, along with and bone marrow lesions. Patients were followed for 24 weeks.
Results of this study were exciting in that patients in the PRP group had shown great benefit. The investigators concluded that patients with knee OA, 3 intra-articular LP-PRP injections led to clinical improvements at 24-week follow-up and significant functional improvements and pain relief after 24 weeks. This further supports the clinical research done over the past 10 years in regards to the long-term clinical benefits of PRP treatment particularly for controlling pain, restoring functional mobility and slowing the progression of cartilage degenerative changes.
Clinical trial can be found here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39097760/
Do not hesitate to get in touch if you are looking for further information on how this very simple, effective treatment can help you with your knee pain or osteoarthritis. Our clinics are based in Birmingham and Warwickshire and we see patients regularly from all over the UK.
Dynamic Regenerative Medicine
01564 330773
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