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Preparation, Procedures and Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Published on: January 4, 2019
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KNEE JOINT STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN OSTEOARTHRITIS AND INJECTIONS OF PLATELET RICH PLASMA AND BONE MARROW ASPIRATE
O Olifirenko1, S Savosko2, O Movchan1
1Shupyk National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology №1, Kiev.
Georgian Medical News
|August 26, 2020
Summary
Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) improved tibial cartilage thickness in an osteoarthritis rabbit model, while platelet-rich plasma (PRP) showed no preventive effect on degenerative changes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by articular cartilage breakdown.
- Current treatments for OA often provide symptomatic relief but do not fully restore cartilage structure.
- Investigating novel regenerative therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) is crucial for OA management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular injections of PRP and BMAC in mitigating knee joint structural changes and assessing articular cartilage morphometry in an experimental osteoarthritis model.
- To compare the effects of PRP and BMAC against a saline control in rabbits with surgically induced OA.
Main Methods:
- An experimental osteoarthritis model was established in rabbits via cartilage defect, anterior cruciate ligament transection, and medial meniscus resection.
- Intra-articular injections of 0.9% NaCl, PRP, or BMAC were administered at 28 days post-induction.
- Histological and morphometric analyses of the epiphyseal surfaces of the femur and tibia were conducted after 2 months.
Main Results:
- The OA model demonstrated significant chondrocyte reduction (55.1%), decreased articular surface thickness (53.2%), and reduced subchondral bone density (44.3%).
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections did not prevent degenerative changes in the articular surface.
- Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) significantly increased tibial hyaline cartilage thickness by 23.1% compared to saline and dual PRP groups (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Intra-articular BMAC demonstrates potential in promoting articular cartilage regeneration and increasing cartilage thickness in an OA rabbit model.
- PRP did not show a significant preventive or regenerative effect on articular cartilage in this OA model.
- Further research is warranted to optimize BMAC application and explore its long-term effects in osteoarthritis treatment.
