title: Does intraoperative application of leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma during arthroscopy for knee degeneration affect postoperative pain, function and quality of life? A 12-month randomized controlled double-blind trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to identify the effects of intraoperative applied leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) during knee arthroscopy for degenerative lesions involving pain, function and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a randomized controlled, double-blind trial (RCT) including 58 patients for arthroscopic knee surgery for cartilage or meniscal degeneration with allocation into the LP-PRP (n = 24) or control group (n = 34). During arthroscopy, LP-PRP was injected intra-articular in the intervention group. At baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months pain, function, and life quality were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  91 % of enrolled patients were available for 12 months follow-up. Pain was significantly lower in the LP-PRP group (VAS 0.9. vs. 2.3) at 6 (p = 0.008) but not at 12 months (VAS 1.0 vs. 1.6, p = 0.063). LP-PRP application improved the Lysholm Score at 6 (77.5 vs. 65.6, p = 0.033) and 12 months (83.2 vs.70.0, p = 0.007). Assessment of life quality (SF-36) concerning the physical component summary was significantly higher at 6 weeks (33.9 vs. 25.6, p = 0.001) and 6 months (29.9 vs. 27.1, p = 0.027) in the LP-PRP group but equal at 1 year (31.4 vs. 30.1, p = 0.438).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraoperative application of LP-PRP may enhance pain reduction and gain of knee function within 6-12 months compared to arthroscopy alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  II, randomized controlled clinical trial with reduced power. CLINICALTRIALS.
  NCT02189408.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Josef- Hospital Bochum, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gudrunstrasse 56, 44791, Bochum, Germany, christian.duif@freenet.de.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duif
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Topcuoglu
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spyrou
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Schulze Pellengahr
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lahner
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011788:Quality of Life; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome