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Intraosseous injections of platelet rich plasma for knee bone marrow lesions treatment: one year follow-up

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Abstract

Purpose

Cartilage lesions are usually accompanied by subchondral bone alterations or bone marrow lesions (BMLs). BML associated with joint degeneration and cartilage lesions are considered to be predictors of rapidly progressing OA. Currently no existing treatment can fully halt OA progression. One of the approaches is an autologous, biological treatment based on the use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections. The purpose of this study is to assess the short-term effectiveness of intraosseous PRP injections, within the BML of individuals affected by OA, in ameliorating pain and improving knee functionality.

Materials and methods

The study involved 17 patients with an average age of 41.7 ± 14.3 years old. OA stage was determined using the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system by performing radiographic scanning of the knee joint before surgical intervention. Patients with K–L grade 3 knee joint OA prevailed. Patient OA history varied between one and nine years (average 5.2 ± 4.5 years). Clinical and functional state of the knee were assessed by pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Score (WOMAC), and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) which were filled out by patients previous to the surgical procedure at one, three, six and 12 months post-operatively. Before surgery, in addition to standard blood tests, serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels were tested for all patients.

Results

Evaluation of preliminary results revealed a statistically significant reduction of pain based on the VAS score. A significant improvement was also observed in the patients’ WOMAC score and in the overall KOOS score. Serum marker levels were initially elevated in our experimental patient group compared to the same marker in healthy control respondents, and continued to rise one month and three months following surgery, at six and 12 month the level was similar as at three months.

Conclusions

In our opinion, first COMP increasing can be caused by injection of platelet rich plasma. It is not adequate to interpret this growth in COMP levels as increased osteochondral degeneration. One year follow-up period showed good quality of life improvement, significant pain reduction, and essential MRI changes. The long-term observation of these cohort of patients combined with an analysis of MRI images is still ongoing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery Department, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8-2 Trubetskaya str, Moscow, Russia, 119991

    A. Lychagin, M. Lipina, A. Garkavi, O. Islaieh & E. Kon

  2. N.N. Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Kosygin st., Moscow, Russia, 119991

    P. Timashev

  3. Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8-2 Trubetskaya str, Moscow, Russia, 119991

    P. Timashev

  4. Institute of Photonic Technologies, Federal Scientific Research Center “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, 2 Pionerskaya str, Troitsk, Moscow, 142190, Russia

    P. Timashev

  5. Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory 1-3, Moscow, Russia, 119991

    P. Timashev

  6. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Manzoni 113, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    K. Ashmore & E. Kon

  7. Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    E. Kon

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  1. A. Lychagin
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Correspondence to M. Lipina.

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Lychagin, A., Lipina, M., Garkavi, A. et al. Intraosseous injections of platelet rich plasma for knee bone marrow lesions treatment: one year follow-up. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 45, 355–363 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-020-04546-5

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