title: Platelet-rich plasma injection is more effective than hyaluronic acid in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is increasing use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in orthopaedics as it is a simple, cheap and minimally invasive technique. This study aimed to compare the effects of the use of PRP and hyaluronic acid (HA) injections in the knee of patients diagnosed with and being followed-up for degenerative arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 90 patients with complaints of knee pain with findings of mild or moderate degenerative arthritis. In the PRP group (n=45), one intra-articular injection was applied and in the HA group (n=45), three doses of intra-articular injection were applied. Clinical evaluation was made by Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and a visual pain scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No severe adverse events was observed. Statistically significant better results in the KOOS score and visual pain scale was determined in PRP group than HA group at 3 months and 6 months follow up. The cost of the application for the PRP group was lower than that of the HA group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study have shown the application of single dose PRP to be a safe, effective and low-cost method for treating OA. However, further studies are required for a more clear result.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayýs University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Say
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gürler
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yener
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bülbül
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malkoc
mesh_terms: D018771:Arthralgia / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid