Platelet-rich plasma outcomes do not correlate with patient satisfaction or perceived cost-effectiveness

As platelet-rich plasma injection for knee osteoarthritis (OA) has increased in popularity, it has become more important to assess its effectiveness and satisfaction with its use in the context of its high cost. The purpose of this study was to determine satisfaction, commercial appeal, and effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of knee OA.

A retrospective review of patients who underwent PRP injection in the knee from 2016 to 2019 was performed. Various patient-reported outcomes were collected, including: satisfaction with the PRP injection (out of 100), whether the patient would want to undergo PRP injection again, whether they would recommend the injection and whether they felt that the injection was worth the cost was collected. VAS pain scores were collected and measured out of 100. Demographics and radiographical information were obtained via chart review. Statistical analyses were conducted including descriptive statistics and binary logistic and linear regressions.

Overall, 114 patients were included. The mean pre-injectionpain score was 70.4, and the mean pain level decreased after injection to 36.8. Patients rated their satisfaction on average as neutral along the aforementioned continuous scale (49.2), , 50.9% stated that they would get the PRP injection again, 60.5% would recommend to a friend, and 50.9% felt the injection was worth the cost. Younger age and improved post-injection pain correlated with increasing likelihood of desiring further PRP injection.

Patients on average rated satisfaction slightly below average, indicating net neutrality in terms of satisfaction with their injection. Furthermore, only half of the patients indicated that it was worth the cost and that they would receive it again. Younger age and post-injection pain relief increased desire for further injection, but pain-relief did not correlate with patients saying that the injection was worth the cost.