Infiltrative treatment with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in gonarthrosis

The aim of the study is to evaluate and to quantify the effects on the quality of life and the decrease of pain in short and middle term in patients affected of gonarthrosis and treated with a series of 3 injections of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). Gonarthrosis is one of the most frequent causes of disability on old ages and leads to difficulties in social, relational and daily activities (1). The most common therapeutic approach depends on the stage of the disease, it can be conservative (FKT), palliative (HA injections, chondro - protector) or reconstructive (TKR). Between October 2010 and January 2013, 72 patients referring to the outpatient clinic of the Rehabilitation Department of the Trauma Center, University Hospital of Careggi, Florence, have been enrolled if a primary gonarthrosis was diagnosed. The patients, after a hematology visit in Immune-Hematology Department of Careggi, have been evaluated with the WOMAC scale for the knee, VAS at rest and VAS in movement before a series of 3 injections with PRP (T0), after 1 months (T1), after 3 months (T2) after 6 year (T3) and after 1 year (T4) from the last injection. PRP injections can be considered a valid method in the control of pain, stiffness and joint function (24, 25) but it have to be considered as a second approach to the treatment of knee OA, due to the high cost and complexity of the procedure. Most of our patients shown good clinical results after one year, were satisfied of the treatment and returned to their previous daily activities.