Osteoarthritis #16

Growth factors.    A National Institutes of Health (NIH) review calls PRP a “second generation orthobiologic” which shows great promise.  (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2682411/)  This technology has been utilized in clinic settings for 20 years.  Orthopaedic surgeons began using Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP)   the last few years to deliver growth factors directly to total joints during surgery.  The procedure for PRP in the operating room involves a patient’s blood (approximately 60 ml or 2 oz) being drawn and handled under sterile conditions.  The blood is centrifuged (separated) into the concentrated rich, red blood cells and the second part, the yellow plasma portion.  Using a divided syringe apparatus, the PRP and its clotting drug components (calcium chloride and thrombin) are mixed as they are applied/sprayed onto the total joint tissue, muscle, tendons, and bone.  PRP gives several benefits after surgery:  it gives concentrated growth factors and healing to the body.  Several studies have shown benefits of decreased bleeding, less need for a drain postoperatively, and decreased pain. 

At the 2010 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Conference, a study was presented which involved 150 patients compared PRP and viscosupplement (see Post #13).  This report stated “autologous PRP injections demonstrated more and longer efficacy (effectiveness) than HA (viscosupplement) in reducing pain, symptoms and recovering articular function in patients affected by severe chondropathies of the knees.”  (AAOS, 2010 Annual Meeting Podium Presentation, PRP intr-articular injection vs. viscosupplementation as treatments for early osteoarthritis. http://www3.aaos.org/education/anmeet/anmt2010/podium/podium.cfm?Pevent=685

PRP gives another possible future treatment for osteoarthritis.