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Comparing the Efficacy of Intra-Articular Single Platelet-Rich Plasma(PRP) versus Novel Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid for Early-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Ying-Chun Wang, Chia-Ling Lee, Yu-Jen Chen, Y. Tien, Sung-Yen Lin, Chung-Hwan Chen, Paul Pei-His Chou, Hsuan-Ti Huang

Medicina, 2022

110 participants · 46 citations

Abstract

Background and Objectives: For the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA), intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and novel crosslinked single-dose hyaluronic acid (HA) have both been reported to improve outcomes, but no study has compared them for the treatment of knee OA. We hypothesized patients with early-stage knee OA who received PRP injections would have more WOMAC score changes than those who received HA injections. This is the first prospective, double-blind, parallel, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of intra-articular single-dose PRP versus novel crosslinked HA (HyajointPlus) for treating early-stage knee OA. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed 110 patients randomized into the PRP (n = 54) or HA (n = 56) groups. The primary outcome is the change of WOMAC score at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups compared to baseline. Results: The data revealed significant improvements in all WOMAC scores in the PRP group at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up visits compared with the baseline level except for the WOMAC stiffness score at the 1-month follow up. In the HA group, significant improvements were observed only in the WOMAC pain score for all the follow-up visits and in WOMAC stiffness, function, and total scores at 6-month follow-up. When comparing the change of WOMAC score at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups, no significant differences were found between PRP and HA group. Conclusions: This study revealed that both PRP and HA can yield significant…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 110 participants or records.

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