Experimental substantiation of the use of platelet-rich plasma in combination with microfracturing in the treatment of local osteochondral defects of the hyaline cartilage of the knee joint: non-randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND: Dissecting osteochondritis of the knee joint is one of the common diseases accompanied by damage to the articular cartilage. Existing conservative and surgical methods of treating osteochondral defects of the hyaline cartilage do not give full satisfactory results of restorative treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined method proposed for the treatment of full-layer osteochondral defects of the knee joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was conducted on 27 Romanov sheep aged 5 months to 1 year and weighing 2035 kg. All animals were conditionally divided into three experimental groups of nine animals, each of which intraoperatively modeled the osteochondral defect of the medial condyle of both hind limbs. Moreover, the left knee joint was assigned to the experimental group, whereas the right knee joint was assigned to the control group. Thus, in first experimental group, microfracturing was performed on the left knee joint in addition to the osteochondral defect of the femoral condyle; in the second experimental groups, microfracturing and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) administration; in the third experimental group, microfracturing, and PRP administration after 3 weeks. From each group, three animals were sacrificed at 1, 3, and 6 months. Results were evaluated by macro- and microscopic examination. RESULTS: In the first experimental group, cartilage regeneration was slow. In the second experimental group using PRP, more intensive regeneration of cartilage tissue occurred. In the third experimental group, cartilage tissue regeneration occurred more intensively. CONCLUSION: During the experiment, in which several methods of treating osteochondral defects of the knee joint were employed, the most effective was the combined method of microfracturization and PRP administration 3 weeks after surgery.