Welcome to the Regenerative Research Roundup, where we look through recently published research and bring you the best of the best in a quick-to-read digest.
This month we're reviewing PRP + HA vs. PRP alone; MFAT vs. PRP for Knee OA; PRP in Rheumatoid Arthritis; and PRP vs. Arthroscopic Knee Debridement.
Let's explore!
Leukocyte-Poor Platelet Rich Plasma versus Leukocyte-Poor Platelet Rich Plasma Plus Hyaluronic Acid for the Treatment of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Randomized Control Trial with 2 Year Follow Up
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine // LOE: l
Is adding HA to your PRP a better option for patients than using PRP alone? This study sought to answer that question.
63 total patients were treated with 3 x intra-articular injections of either (a) PRP or (b) PRP + HA. The concentration factor of the PRP used was not disclosed, however, the Arthrex ACP system was used which independent studies suggest concentrates to ~2x above baseline.
In conclusion, authors found that while both interventions offered clinical improvement at all time points out to 2-years, adding HA to PRP did not result in any significant improvement over PRP alone. I would expect that if authors used a PRP system with a higher concentration of platelets per dose, they would have been able to achieve similar results with only a single injection, rather than three.
ACCESS HERE: https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967121S00578
Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial at 2-Year Follow-up
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine // LOE: l
MFAT is an autologous biologic that has a high concentration of mesenchymal stem cells - the raw inputs for tissue regeneration that may help improve healing in degenerative joint disorders. MDBiologix is involved in the first ever clinical trial for the use of MFAT in osteoarthritis; click here to learn more about the early results from this trial!
In this study, a total of 118 patients with symptomatic knee OA were randomized to receive a single intra-articular injection of MF-AT or PRP. Outcomes included KOOS, IKDC, EQ, and MRI imaging.
Overall, both MF-AT and PRP provided a statistically and clinically significant improvement up to 24 months, with MFAT having a more pronounced impact on moderate/severe patients at 6 months.
ACCESS HERE: https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465221115821
The Effects of Intra-Articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Narrative Review
Cureus // LOE: lV
I'm often asked about the impact and evidence supporting the use of PRP on patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, given both it's similarity and differences compared to osteoarthritis.
This is a narrative review on the current state-of-the-art with respect to PRP and RA patients. And while there is still a lack of substantial clinical evidence on this subject, it does appear that in human studies, there seems to be an improvement in most clinical and functional outcomes in RA patients after PRP administration.
Moreover, it does not appear that the use of PRP had any associated severe adverse events in in vitro, animal or human studies.
A Comparative Study of Osteoarthritis Knee Arthroscopy versus Intra-Articular Platelet Rich Plasma Injection: A Randomized Study
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal // LOE: ll
This study should help with clinical decision-making between knee arthroscopic debridement or PRP injections for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
A total of 70 patients of knee OA with grade 2-3 according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification were selected to receive either arthroscopy (Group II) or a platelet rich plasma injection (Group I). Both groups were evaluated at 3, 6 and 9 months of follow-up. The PRP system used was not disclosed, but authors quantified the mean concentration of platelets at ~4.2x baseline dosed between 4-5cc per knee.
Authors concluded that while both interventions offered significant improvement over pain and function, PRP had the edge over arthroscopic debridement. This edge was somewhat diminished in patients with more severe OA.
ACCESS HERE: https://doi.org/10.5704/MOJ.2207.004
If you have any questions or comments regarding the above research, or are wondering how you can apply it to your regenerative practice, please leave a comment below or shoot me an email at cdowns@mdbiologix.com
Cheers!
Connor
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