High-Dose Neutrophil-Depleted Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Encouraging results have been reported for Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This study reports the efficacy and safety of a high dose of neutrophile and red-blood-cell-depleted PRP to treat patients with KOA. Methods: A total of 212 consecutive patients diagnosed with Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grading 1–3 KOA chronic knee pain for at least 1 year were treated with three injections at 15-day intervals with a high dose of neutrophil-depleted PRP (4 billion platelets). Clinical outcomes were retrospectively recorded as the percentage of responders at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up, following the OMERACT-OARSI criteria. Pain, through the VAS score and WOMAC score, was also been recorded. Results: A total of 4 mL of PRP containing 4 × 109 platelets was obtained by single-spin centrifugation and injected intra-articularly into each patient with no preactivation. The overall responder rate of patients responding to the OMERACT-OARSI criteria at 3, 6, and 12 months was 68.9%, 72.7%, and 70.6%, respectively. A significant improvement in VAS and WOMAC scores at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up compared to the pretreatment value (p < 0.01) was observed. The lowest VAS score was observed at 6 months overall and in all three KL-graded groups. The KL2 groups showed the best results regarding pain reduction and their WOMAC score at 6 months (p < 0.01). Conclusions: For KL1–3 KOA, a high dosage of neutrophil-depleted PRP is a successful treatment. It has long-lasting effects that last up to one year, relieves symptoms, and may slow the advancement of the disease.