Demonstrating the effectiveness of Platelet Rich Plasma and Prolotherapy treatments in knee osteoarthritis

Background Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and prolotherapy (PRL) are regenerative treatment approaches in the knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Aim To see how efficient PRP and PRL are in treating KOA. Methods A total of 108 patients with a diagnosis of KOA who received either PRL, PRP, or exercise therapy and whose 3-month follow-up data were available were included in this retrospective study (PRL n = 35 or PRP n = 35, exercise n = 38). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and The Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used as outcome measures at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups in terms of demographic parameters, baseline assessments of pain intensity, or WOMAC scores. At the first and third months, all groups showed a substantial improvement in the VAS activity, resting and WOMAC values as compared to before treatment (p < 0.05). When the groups were compared, the VAS activity, resting, and WOMAC values in PRP and PRL improved significantly in the first and third months compared to the exercise group. At one month, there was a statistically significant improvement in VAS activity and WOMAC pain and total scores compared to PRP and PRL, but this improvement was not significant at 3 months.Conclusion Pain and disability were significantly improved with PRL and PRP compared with exercise therapy. Although PRP is more effective than PRL in the first month after treatment, PRL may be preferred due to its low cost, long-term efficacy, and low complication rates due to the periarticular application

Comparison of platelet-rich plasma and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis: A prospective, randomized-controlled study

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness or comparative therapeutic superiority of exercise, extracorporeal shock wave Patients and methods: Between January 2016 and February 2017, a total of 74 patients (14 males, 60 females; mean age; 49.7 +/- 7.6 years, range, 26 to 60 years) with chronic LE were included in this prospective, randomized-controlled study. All patients received stretching and eccentric strengthening exercises for three months. The patients were divided into three groups. The first group (Exercises group, n=24) was given home exercises. The second group (ESWT+Exercises group, n=25) received one session of ESWT added once a week for three weeks. The third group (PRP+Exercises group, n=25) received one session of PRP in addition to the exercise program. All patients were evaluated for pain Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE), handgrip strength by a dynamometer, and extensor tendon thickness by ultrasonography (USG) at baseline and at Results: A significant improvement was found in the VAS, DASH, PRTEE, handgrip strength values at six months compared to between in all groups (p 0.001). Extensor tendon thickness as assessed by USG indicated no significant difference (p 0.05). Regarding the VAS activity levels, there was a significant difference in the PRP+Exercises group compared to the Exercises group at six months of follow-up (p<0.001). The decrease in the DASH scores during six-month follow-up was significantly higher in the PRP+Exercises group compared to the Exercises group (p=0.004). For the PRTEE scores at six months, the PRP+Exercises group showed a statistically significant improvement than both Exercises (p<0.001) and Conclusion: In the treatment of chronic LE, PRP combined with exercise seems to be superior to exercise or ESWT in terms of pain an