INTRA-ARTICULAR PLATELET-RICH PLASMA VERSUS CORTICOSTEROIDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Abstract

Objectives: The present study compared and evaluated the effectiveness of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and corticosteroid injections in persons with osteoarthritis of the knee using the VAS and Knee Society Scores to measure changes in pain levels and functional results.

Study design: Prospective Cohort Study.

Study Place and Duration: Department of Orthopedics, Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital DG Khan, from June 2025 to October 2025.

Methodology: Total of 240 participants aged of either gender with osteoarthritis were selected and classified in to two groups: Group-A (PRP; N=120) and Group-B (Corticosteroid; n=120). The patients with history of knee arthroscopy, intra-articular injection, rheumatoid arthritis (R-A factor positive), post trauma osteoarthritis and bleeding disorder, were excluded from the study. Group-A received intra-articular PRP, and Group-B received the corticosteroid. Patients were followed 15 weeks. Data were analyzed using statistical software (SPSS Version-31.0). Stratification was performed to control for potential confounder.

Results: The mean age of the study population was 57.45±12.65 years. Baseline demographic and radiological characteristics were comparable between groups (p > 0.05). At 15 weeks, the PRP group revealed comparably greater progress in pain management of knee osteoarthritis than the patients received corticosteroid. The mean KSS was 86.4 ± 8.7 in the PRP, Group-B while 72.9 ± 11.5 in the corticosteroid group-A (p < 0.001). Excellent to good functional outcomes were observed in 83.3% of patients receiving PRP compared to 46.7% in the corticosteroid group. Post-stratification analysis confirmed the superiority of PRP across age, gender, obesity, diabetes status, osteoarthritis grade, symptom duration, and surgeon experience.

Conclusion: PRP injection was more effective than corticosteroid injection in providing short-term pain relief and functional improvement in patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis. PRP appears to be a promising non-surgical therapeutic option for symptom management in this population.