The most disabling disease of mankind, Osteoarthritis, is the most prevalent degenerative joint disease affecting the elderly population and is characterized by the deterioration of articular cartilage and loss subchondral bone. Common symptoms include joint stiffness and pain, synovial tissue inflammation, bone spur formation, joint cartilage degradation, and changes in the underlying bone structure. Etiological factors such as mechanical stress, structural injuries to the joints, inflammation, oxidative stress, and aging have been identified.
The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) has been rising exponentially in recent years. As the disease progresses, patients may eventually require surgical intervention to restore the functionality of the affected knees with significant health costs and there may be persistent pain and loss of joint function
The pharmacological conservative treatment does not provide significant benefits and medicines have their own side effects
Thus, less invasive procedure with promising result is needed to treat OA .
Regenerative medicine using PRP( Platelet rich plasma) and Mesenchymal Stem cells serves to postpone or replace surgical modalities , and have shown promising results in both therapeutic effectiveness and safety in treating Osteoarthritis of large joints when compared to traditional conservative treatments such as hyaluronic acid injections or oral glucosamine or physical therapy
The use of PRP injections in the management of knee osteoarthritis …
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cells are orthobiologic, regenerative therapies used to manage knee osteoarthritis (OA) by reducing inflammation, pain, and potentially repairing cartilage in early-to-moderate cases. PRP uses concentrated platelets to release growth factors that aid healing, while stem cells (often MSCs) modulate the joint environment. They are most effective for mild-to-moderate (KL grade I-III) knee arthritis.
Role of PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) in Knee Osteoarthritis
Mechanism: PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, concentrated to contain a high concentration of platelets and growth factors. These factors reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair.
Effectiveness: PRP is generally more effective than hyaluronic acid (HA) or corticosteroids for pain relief and functional improvement, especially in the short to long term.
Best For: Early to moderate OA (KL grade I-II).
Results: Patients often report significant improvements in pain scores (VAS) and functionality (WOMAC) up to 6–12 months.
Role of Stem Cells in Knee Osteoarthritis
Mechanism: Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), often derived from bone marrow or adipose tissue, act by releasing anti-inflammatory factors and potentially stimulating cartilage repair.
Effectiveness: They help modulate the inflammatory environment of an arthritic knee.
Best For: Moderate to severe OA (KL grade II-III).
Results: While they can offer substantial pain relief, studies on their ability to reverse severe cartilage damage are undergoing