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Platelet-rich plasma intra-articular injections for cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis: single- versus double-spinning approach

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the safety and efficacy of two different approaches of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) production methods as intra-articular injection treatment for knee cartilage degenerative lesions and osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

The study involved 144 symptomatic patients affected by cartilage degenerative lesions and OA. Seventy-two patients were treated with 3 injections of platelet concentrate prepared with a single-spinning procedure (PRGF), the other 72 with 3 injections of PRP obtained with a double-spinning approach. The patients were evaluated prospectively at the enrollment and at 2, 6, and 12 months’ follow-up with IKDC, EQ-VAS and Tegner scores; adverse events and patient satisfaction were also recorded.

Results

Both treatment groups presented a statistically significant improvement in all the scores evaluated at all the follow-up times. Better results were achieved in both groups in younger patients with a lower degree of cartilage degeneration. The comparative analysis showed similar improvements with the two procedures: in particular, IKDC subjective evaluation increased from 45.0 ± 10.1 to 59.0 ± 16.2, 61.3 ± 16.3, and 61.6 ± 16.2 at 2, 6, and 12 months in the PRGF group, and from 42.1 ± 13.5 to 60.8 ± 16.6, 62.5 ± 19.9, and 59.9 ± 20.0 at 2, 6, and 12 months in the PRP group, respectively. Concerning adverse events, more swelling (P = 0.03) and pain reaction (P = 0.0005), were found after PRP injections.

Conclusions

Although PRP injections produced more pain and swelling reaction with respect to that produced by PRGF, similar results were found at the follow-up times, with a significant clinical improvement with respect to the basal level. Better results were achieved in younger patients with a low degree of cartilage degeneration.

Level of evidence

II.

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Acknowledgments

G. Altadonna, F. Balboni, S. Bassini, A. Montaperto: III Clinic—Biomechanics Lab, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy. A. Gabriele, F. Pieretti, M. Vaccari, A.M. Del Vento, M. Zagarella, V. Roverini, I. Brognara, L. D’Amato, S. Ardone: Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Service, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy. E. Pignotti, K. Smith: Task Force, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy. This work was partially supported by the project Regione Emilia Romagna Programma di Ricerca Regione-Universita’ 2007–2009 (Regenerative Medicine in Osteoarticular Disease).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomechanics Laboratory, III Clinic, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Via Di Barbiano 1/10, 40136, Bologna, Italy

    Giuseppe Filardo, Elizaveta Kon, Alessandro Di Martino & Maurilio Marcacci

  2. Villa Stuart, Sport Rehabilitation Center, Roma, Italy

    Maria Teresa Pereira Ruiz & Rita Guitaldi

  3. Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Service, San Pietro Hospital, Roma, Italy

    Franca Vaccaro

  4. Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Service, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy

    Annarita Cenacchi & Pier Maria Fornasari

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  1. Giuseppe Filardo
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  2. Elizaveta Kon
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Correspondence to Elizaveta Kon.

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Filardo, G., Kon, E., Pereira Ruiz, M.T. et al. Platelet-rich plasma intra-articular injections for cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis: single- versus double-spinning approach. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 20, 2082–2091 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1837-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1837-x

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