A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial Comparing Clinical Outcomes of Intraarticular Platelet Plasma Concentrate and Growth Factors versus Corticosteroid Injections in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare and evaluate the efficacy of intraarticular platelet-rich growth factor (PRGF) versus intraarticular steroid injections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted by enrolling 650 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who did not respond to the combination of oral medication and physiotherapy. After computer-based randomization and exclusion, the number of patients in our study was 557. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (310 patients) received intraarticular PRGF injection and group 2 (247 patients) received intraarticular injection of 40-mg triamcinolone solution. The post-trial follow-up period ranged from 12 to 18.5 months. The primary endpoints were the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores and in knee OA. However, optimal preparation techniques are essential for improved clinical outcomes, and further investigation with long-term follow-up is recommended.