Platelet Rich Plasma for the management of knee osteoarthritis: a review of biological role and potential mechanism of action

  • Savvas Damdoumis
  • Kyriaki Ziampa
  • Anna Kopsacheili
  • Anna Maria Sosi
  • Eustathios Kenanidis
  • Eleftherios Tsiridis
Keywords: platelet-rich plasma, osteoarthritis, knee, PRP

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a progressive degenerative disease characterised by joint cartilage damage, interindividual variation in clinical manifestations and severe end-stage clinical symptoms. It is one of the most common arthritis types, with increasing prevalence as life expectancy and obesity rise. It is quite a significant public health issue as it reduces physical function, causes chronic pain, and severely impacts the quality of life. The early and middle KOA stages are usually managed conservatively, and the end-stage KOA with knee arthroplasty. Emerging evidence suggests that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has a potentially regenerative effect on various tissues. Intraarticular PRP has been shown to provide symptomatic relief in early KOA, at least as effective as hyaluronic acid and steroid injections. The combined effects of PRP positively impact inflammation, angiogenesis, cell migration and metabolism of many degenerative joints. However, the PRP’s biological activity and mechanism of action are not yet fully understood. This article aims to resume the critical evidence highlighting all reported biological, biochemical and cellular PRP actions in KOA to help physicians better understand this molecular treatment type.

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Author Biographies

Savvas Damdoumis

Academic Orthopaedic Department, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Ring Road Thessaloniki,56403, Hellas
Center of Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine (C.O.RE.)- Center of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (C.I.R.I.) – Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Hellas

Kyriaki Ziampa

Academic Orthopaedic Department, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Ring Road Thessaloniki,56403, Hellas
Center of Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine (C.O.RE.)- Center of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (C.I.R.I.) – Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Hellas

Anna Kopsacheili

Academic Orthopaedic Department, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Ring Road Thessaloniki,56403, Hellas
Center of Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine (C.O.RE.)- Center of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (C.I.R.I.) – Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Hellas

Anna Maria Sosi

Academic Orthopaedic Department, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Ring Road Thessaloniki,56403, Hellas
Center of Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine (C.O.RE.)- Center of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (C.I.R.I.) – Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Hellas

Eustathios Kenanidis

Academic Orthopaedic Department, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Ring Road Thessaloniki,56403, Hellas
Center of Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine (C.O.RE.)- Center of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (C.I.R.I.) – Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Hellas

Eleftherios Tsiridis

Academic Orthopaedic Department, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Ring Road Thessaloniki,56403, Hellas
Center of Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine (C.O.RE.)- Center of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (C.I.R.I.) – Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Hellas

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Published
2024-03-11