Study,in Bologna Italy, recently showing PRP to be more effective than another OA treatment, hyaluronic acid or synvisc, for DJD/OA of the knee.

PRP intra-articular injection versus viscosupplementation as treatments for early osteoarthritis.

Podium No: 685

Friday, March 12, 2010
05:12 PM – 05:18 PM

Location: Morial Convention Center
Room 345

Elizaveta Kon, MD Italy Bologna Italy
Roberto Buda Bologna Italy
Bert Mandelbaum, MD Santa Monica CA
Guiseppe Filardo, MD
Antonio Timoncini, MD Bologna Italy
Marco Delcogliano, MD Roma RM Italy
Pier Maria Fornasari, MD
Sandro Giannini, MD Bologna Bologna Italy
Maurilio Marcacci, MD Bologna Italy

Moderator(s):
Jeffery L Pierson, MD Indianapolis IN
Thomas Parker Vail, MD San Francisco CA

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of PRP and Viscosupplementation (HA) i.a. injections for treatment of severe chondropathies of the knee.

The influence of the growth factors on cartilage repair is not yet widely studied and its application in clinics is still experimental. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), a blood derived rich in growth factors, is a promising method for treatment of cartilage defects. Aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of PRP and Viscosupplementation (HA) i.a. injections for treatment of severe chondropathies of the knee.

The study involved 150 patients affected by chondropathy, early Osteoarthritis and severe Osteoarthritis. 50 symptomatic patients were treated with 3 autologous PRP intra-articular injections and evaluated prospectively. For PRP production 150 ml of venous blood were collected from each patient and underwent a double centrifugation, increasing platelet concentration. All patients were clinically evaluated at the enrolment, at the end of the treatment, at 6 months follow up. The results obtained were also compared with two homogeneous group of patients treated in two different centers with HA injections, one group was treated with injections of High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan and the other group was treated with Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronan. IKDC and EQ-VAS scores were used for clinicalevaluation and patient satisfaction and functional status were alsorecorded.

The comparison between the outcomes of the three groups was statistically significative (p<0,0005), reporting a superiority of PRP group at any times of F-up.

Autologous PRP injections demonstrated more and longer efficacy than HA injections in reducing pain, symptoms and recovering articular function in patients affected by severe chondropathies of the knee.

We see many knee patients who have failed with other knee treatments. Prolotherapy as well as PRP has worked well in comparison. Please go to our you tube channel “TheAWC”  or website and see video testimonials of our patients. We welcome consultations in person and over the phone as many of our patients travel to receive PRP here. We also see even higher success than some studies due to the integration of EWOT.