Platelet-rich Plasma in Management of Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Sometimes called degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints. OA can affect any joint, but it occurs most often in knees, hips, lower back and neck. Although OA occurs in people of all ages, osteoarthritis is most common in people older than 65. Common risk factors include increasing age, obesity, previous joint injury, overuse of the joint, weak thigh muscles and genes. This disease requires the development of cartilage-sparing interventions that are noninvasive, safe, and cost-effective. Hence, Platelet-rich plasma was first evaluated in 1987. Platelet-rich plasma is theorized to work via growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines that help inhibit destruction or perhaps even regenerate cartilage in OA. The most important finding in this review was that PRP may improve short-term outcomes in knee OA.