Comparative study of intra articular autologous platelet rich plasma and hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation in osteoarthritis of knee

Background: Osteoarthritis, the most common form of degenerative arthroses, affects the elderly resulting in physical, mental and social distress. In this study we are comparing the two different intra articular injections (Platelet Rich Plasma vs Hylan G-F 20) efficacy on osteoarthritis management. Aims and Objectives: To compare the outcomes of intra articular injection of autologous platelet rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation in osteoarthritis of knee.Materials and Methods: In this study of 60 patients with OA knee who presented to CIO OPD, Safdarjung hospital after getting their informed consent, one group treated with PRP (group1, n= 30) and the other with Hylan GF 20(group 2,n = 30). In group 1, patients received 3 Intra articular injections of PRP at 4 weeks interval and in group 2, patients received a single Intra articular injection of Hylan GF 20 (Synvisc one). Institutional ethical committee approval obtained. SPSS version 17.0 was used for analysis. Results: Baseline characteristics like age, sex, BMI of both groups were indifferent and comparable. Intra articular injections of PRP and Hylan GF 20 depicted improvement in both VAS and WOMAC index. PRP had a statistically significant better outcome than Hylan GF 20 from the fourth month of follow up in both sexes, in both age groups and in OA grade II and III. PRP was significantly better than hylan G-F 20 from the 6th month in BMI group of 18.5 to 24.99 and from the 5th month of follow up in patients with BMI more than 24.99.Conclusion: Patients in both treatment group showed improvement whereas Intra articular PRP injection group had a statistically significant better outcome than Hylan G-F 20 from the fourth month of follow up.