title: Effect of single injection of platelet-rich plasma in comparison with corticosteroid on knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence on the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treating osteoarthritis (OA) is insufficient. Therefore, the present study compares the effects of a one-time injection of PRP and corticosteroid (CS).
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present randomized double blind clinical trial, the participants who suffered from knee osteoarthritis (Grades II/III), were randomly divided into two groups: intra articular injection of PRP and CS. Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), the 20-Meter-Walk Test (20MW), active and passive ranges of motions (ROM), flexion contracture, and pain intensity based on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were assessed before, 2-months, and 6-months after interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-one participants (48 knees) were involved in the research (66.7% women; average age of 61.1±7.0 years old). Compared to the group treated with corticosteroid, pain relief (df: 6, 35; F=11.0; P=0.007), symptom free (df:6, 35; F=23.0; P<0.001), activities of daily living (ADL) (df:6, 35; F=10.7; P=0.005) and quality of life (df:6, 35; F=5.2; P=0.02) in the RPR group were significantly higher, but sporting ability was not different between the two groups (df: 6, 35; F=0.6; P=0.55). PRP was significantly more helpful for relieving patients' pain (VAS) compared to corticosteroids (df: 6, 35; F=32.0; P=0.001). It is also notable that using PRP was more helpful in improving the 20MW test than corticosteroid treatment (df: 6, 35; F=7.4; P=0.04) but none of the treatments had any impact on active flexion ROM، passive flexion ROM and flexion contracture (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrated that one shot of PRP injection, decreased joint pain more and longer-term, alleviated the symptoms, and enhanced the activity of daily living and quality of life in short-term duration in comparison with CS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Firouzgar Hospital, Tehran, Iran - grezaraissi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Bijan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Forogh
authors.forename: Elaheh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mianehsaz
authors.forename: Shervan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shoaee
authors.forename: Tannaz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahadi
authors.forename: Gholam R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Raissi
authors.forename: Simin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sajadi
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008775:Methylprednisolone