Meta-analysis: Osteoarthritis

Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-analysis of 26 Randomized Controlled Trials 

The purpose of this work was to compare the effectiveness and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients with adult knee osteoarthritis (KOA) using Cochrane methodology. 
 
Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an experimental group that used PRP and a control group that received HA were eligible. Twenty-six randomized controlled trials involving 2430 patients were included. Among these, one trial (Lin et al. 2019) was conducted with RegenPRP. 
 
The WOMAC total scores, WOMAC physical function scores, and VAS pain scores of the PRP group were better than those of the HA group at 3, 6, and 12 months. The PRP group had better WOMAC pain, WOMAC stiffness, EuroQol VAS, and International Knee Documentation Committee scores than the HA group at 6 and 12 months. There was no significant difference in adverse events between the 2 groups. 
 
The authors concluded that PRP was more effective than HA in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, and that the safety of these 2 treatment options were comparable. 
 
Level of Evidence: Level I, meta-analysis of Level I RCTs 
 
​​​​​​​Tan J, Chen H, Zhao L, Huang W. Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-analysis of 26 Randomized Controlled Trials. Arthroscopy. 2021 Jan;37(1):309-325  

Bruno BOEZENNEC, MD, Managing Editor