Podium Presentation Platelet Rich Plasma and Growth factors

16.3.5 - Platelet-rich Plasma for the Treatment of Sport-active Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Limited Return to Sport.

Presentation Number
16.3.5
Presentation Topic
Platelet Rich Plasma and Growth factors
Lecture Time
11:51 - 12:00
Session Type
Free Papers
Corresponding Author
  • A. Di Martino (Bologna, IT)
Authors
  • A. Boffa (Bologna, IT)
  • S. Altamura (Bologna, IT)
  • L. Andriolo (Bologna, IT)
  • R. De Filippis (bologna, IT)
  • A. Di Martino (Bologna, IT)
  • S. Zaffagnini (Bologna, IT)
  • G. Filardo (Bologna, IT)
Disclosure
Giuseppe Filardo declares Institutional Support from: Zimmer-Biomet, Cartiheal, Fidia Farmaceutici spa, Finceramica Faenza spa, IGEA Clinical Biophisic, Kensey-Nash, EON medical srl Stefano Zaffagnini declares: Financial support from I+ SRL Royalties fro

Abstract

Purpose

In the last years, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been proposed for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and its use is now supported by increasing evidences. Although recent reviews and meta-analysis showed good results using PRP for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, the literature is still sparse on the use of PRP for the treatment of active patients. Aim of this study is to evaluate a cohort of sport-active patients suffering from cartilage degeneration and OA, in terms of clinical outcome and return to sport (RTS) after PRP injective treatment.

Methods and Materials

The study included forty-seven sport-active patients ≤50 years old with unilateral symptomatic knee cartilage degeneration or osteoa. Patients received 3 PRP injections and were prospectively evaluated at baseline and then at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months follow-up by IKDC subjective EQ-VAS, and Tegner scores. Furthermore, patients were asked about their return to sport, both in terms of return to any sport level or to their activity level before symptoms onset.

Results

IKDC subjective score improved significantly at all follow-ups, changing from 59.2±13.6 to 70.6±13 at 12 months and 76.7±12.5 at 24 months. A similar outcome was observed with the EQ-VAS score. Tegner score improved from 3.6±1.4 to 4.8±0.9 at 24 months, but only 76.6% of patients returned to some kind of sport activity and 48.9% to the same activity level. A lower pre-symptoms Tegner score was associated with a higher return to sport rate, both at any level and at the same level.

Conclusion

Sport-active patients affected by knee osteoarthritis can benefit from PRP injections, with pain and function improvement. However, results are less satisfactory in terms of return to sport since only half can achieve the same sport level as before the onset of symptoms. Patients undergoing PRP treatment should be aware of their low chances to go back to high-impact sport activities.

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