Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Pain and Functional Outcomes in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Cohort Study with Short-Term Follow-Up

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disorder associated with substantial morbidity and limited effective treatment options.Intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection has emerged as a potential therapeutic modality; however, clinical outcomes remain variable, necessitating further evaluation.This study aimed to evaluate changes in pain and functional outcomes following a single intra-articular PRP injection in patients with knee OA.Methodology: This prospective cohort study evaluated the short-term outcomes of PRP injection in patients with knee OA.A total of 72 patients received a single intra-articular injection of 8 mL of PRP prepared from 60 mL of autologous venous blood using a double-centrifugation technique.Patients were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee score, and six-minute walking distance (6MWD) at baseline and at one, three, and six months following injection.Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in WOMAC pain, stiffness, and physical function scores at one, three, and six months compared with baseline (p < 0.001).VAS pain scores decreased, whereas IKDC scores and 6MWD improved throughout the follow-up period.However, the magnitude of improvement declined at six months compared with earlier follow-up assessments.Conclusion: Intra-articular PRP injection was associated with short-term improvements in pain and functional outcomes among patients with knee OA.However, given the absence of a control group and the limited follow-up duration, these findings should be interpreted with caution and do not establish a causal treatment effect.Further comparative studies with longer follow-up and standardized PRP characterization are warranted.