Introduction:
The most common type of arthritis worldwide is osteoarthritis (OA). The two subtypes of osteoarthritis are primary and secondary. However, the disease is clinically quite varied and can be just an asymptomatic incidental finding to a devastating and permanently crippling disorder. Joint pain and function loss are the most common symptoms of OA. With the help of today's research and advancements, the use of cell components and bio mediators of tissue response has opted for a relatively novel approach to treating OA. By supplying a high concentration of growth factors that facilitate cartilage healing and remodeling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been designed in this context as a possibility for improving clinical and structural outcomes. PRP has been used to rejuvenate tissues in a variety of clinical settings. Currently, it is utilized to treat soft tissue lesions like fasciitis, tendinopathies, and the healing of persistent ulcers. Its usage in dental operations, such as bone regeneration in grafting procedures and fractures and periodontal regeneration in dental implants, is especially remarkable.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
Although red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are mostly the significant elements of human blood, blood is primarily a liquid substance called plasma. And the function of platelets in clotting blood is their most well-known function. However, platelets also include a large number of growth factors, which are proteins that are crucial for the healing of wounds.
Therefore, PRP is plasma with significantly more platelets than regular blood. There may be a 5–10 times richer number of platelets than usual, increasing the concentration of growth factors.
Thereby, the injured region that is treated with PRP preparation hastens healing. PRP has been put forth as a promising biologic therapy with several potential uses in sports medicine. There are two mechanisms: The injured area can receive a delicate injection of PRP. For instance, the heel can swell, inflame, and hurt when a person has Achilles tendinitis, which frequently occurs in runners and tennis players. This inflammatory region can be injected with a PRP and local anesthetic mixture. Following the injection, the discomfort there may worsen for the first week or two, and it can take a few weeks before the patient notices a positive outcome.
Another mechanism is that PRP may also be utilized to speed up post-surgery healing. For instance, surgery may be necessary to repair a tendon in a sportsperson whose heel is entirely torn.
Treatment of the injured area with PRP during surgery can aid in the healing of the torn tendon. This can be accomplished by preparing the PRP to be injected into injured tissues.
How Is PRP Prepared?
Blood must initially be obtained from a patient to create a PRP preparation. Centrifugation spins the blood to separate the platelets from other blood cells and enhance their concentration. The wounded area is subsequently given an injection of these platelets. One to several tubes of your blood are used to prepare PRP injections, which is done by centrifuging the blood to concentrate the platelets. The injured or diseased body tissue is subsequently injected with these activated platelets. Growth factors are then released, promoting and enhancing the synthesis of reparative cells.
On occasion, ultrasound imaging is used to guide the injection. The ability of PRP injections to reduce the need for stronger medications like opioids or anti-inflammatories is one of their key advantages. The side effects of PRP injections are also minimal because the body will not reject or react negatively to them because they are made from the individual's blood.
Its use is justified by several factors, including the fact that it is generally well tolerated, rarely causes complications, is simple to prepare and administer, and is less aggressive than other treatment options, such as corticoid intra-articular injection or even surgery, that may be appropriate for some patients.
What Is the Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in the Management of Osteoarthritis?
Strategies for managing knee OA include increasing function, decreasing disability, relieving pain, and improving quality of life. Existing strategies concentrate on developing less intrusive techniques or implementing interventions earlier during the disease to prevent or delay progression. An in-depth discussion of the growth factors generated by PRP can be found in the literature and have been demonstrated to promote cell proliferation and the formation of new blood vessels, leading to a decrease in the expression of inflammatory enzymes and the chemical regulators of the inflammatory process. PRP has been demonstrated to have an advantageous impact on chondrogenesis (formation of new cartilages) and mesenchymal stem cell proliferation, which may help to stimulate a regenerative response by enhancing the metabolic capabilities of injured structures.
However, using PRP-augmented scaffolds is still in its infancy, with weak scientific power. Still, it is justified by the need to benefit from the significant number of growth factors found in platelets to encourage cartilage regeneration.
Through in vitro studies, preclinical and clinical trials, treatment of chronic ulcers, ophthalmology, dermatology, injuries, and pathologies related to tendon, muscle, cartilage, and bone, among other fields, the effectiveness of PRP-derived products in their various forms (direct liquid/injection, gel, clot, etc.) has been investigated. PRP has a high margin of safety and is simple to produce and administer, which has led to an increase in its usage in treating degenerative knee OA in recent years.
What Are the Recent Research Findings Regarding PRP for Osteoarthritis?
Three injections each month result in much better short-term results. They provided symptomatic relief for up to 12 months, with higher advantages for patients with early knee degenerative changes, with considerable functional improvements and pain reductions.
Studies investigating the effectiveness of PRP therapy in treating OA have produced encouraging findings. In numerous clinical trials, knee and hip OA patients had considerable gains in quality of life, functional results, and pain relief. Additionally, PRP therapy has been shown to have an excellent safety profile with few documented adverse events.
The body of information now available on PRP therapy for OA is still developing, and further investigation is required to determine its long-term success, ideal treatment regimens, and the precise patient demographics who may benefit most. Additionally, there are several ways to prepare PRP, which could affect how well a therapy works. PRP protocols must be standardized to improve their therapeutic applicability, and comparison studies are essential.
In a nutshell, PRP therapy shows promise as a potential minimally invasive, non-surgical therapeutic alternative for OA. For individuals with OA, it has demonstrated positive results in lowering pain, boosting function, and improving quality of life. While additional research is required, PRP therapy is a valuable addition to the arsenal of current OA management techniques. It can be highly beneficial for those suffering from this prevalent joint condition.
Conclusion:
Osteoarthritis management now offers a promising treatment option: platelet-rich plasma therapy. A degenerative joint disease called OA is marked by pain, inflammation, and cartilage degradation. The effectiveness and potential adverse effects of conventional OA treatment methods, including painkillers, physical therapy, and surgical procedures, are constrained over the long term.
