ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of the ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of patients with different stages of knee osteoarthritis.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and X-ray data of patients with knee osteoarthritis who received ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of PRP in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University between May 2018 and June 2019. The patients were grouped according to the Kellgren & Lawrence Classification (K&L 0, Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ). All the patients received four injections with a one-week interval. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy before the injection, and 3 and 6 months after the injection. Adverse reactions were recorded.ResultsA total of 102 patients were included without any grade 0 cases. There were 20 patients in K&L Ⅰ group, 37 in Ⅱ group, 31 in Ⅲ group, and 14 in Ⅳ group. No adverse event was reported. Significant differences of VAS scores and WOMAC index were observed in Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups at the 3rd and 6th month follow-up (P<0.05). VAS and WOMAC scores of the three groups at the 3rd and 6th month after the treatment were significantly improved compared with those before the treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS score at the 3rd or 6th month after the treatment three groups (P>0.05). For K&L Ⅰ group, there was no statistically significant difference in WOMAC score at the 3rd or 6th month after the treatment (P>0.05). However, the WOMAC scores at the 3rd month after the treatment were better than those at the 6th month in K&L Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups (P<0.05). There was no significant time-depended changes in VAS score or WOMAC score in K&L Ⅳ group (P>0.05).ConclusionThe ultrasound-guided intra-articular PRP injection is safe and effective for pain relief and function improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis at the early and middle stage.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.MethodsWe retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinical characteristics, imaging data, and clinical outcomes of patients with femoral head necrosis who received ultrasound-guided intra-articular PRP injection in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University between June 2019 and June 2020. All the patients received 4 injections at one-week intervals. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Harris Hip Joint Function Scale (HHS) were evaluated before treatment and 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the first injections. Adverse events were recorded. The normally distributed data were presented as mean±standard deviation, and analyzed by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance; the non-normally distributed data were presented as median (lower quartile, upper quartile), and analyzed by Friedman test.ResultsA total of 29 patients were included. According to the Association Research Circulation Osseous classification standard, 2 patients were classified as stageⅠ, 11 as stageⅡ, 11 as stage Ⅲ, and 5 as stage Ⅳ. Before treatment and 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment, the VAS scores were 7.0 (5.5, 8.0), 4.0 (3.0, 5.0), 3.0 (2.0, 3.0), and 3.0 (2.0, 5.0), respectively, the WOMAC scores were 39.27±11.70, 28.34±8.08, 22.82±6.09, and 24.13±7.55, respectively, and the HHS were 46.0 (40.0, 64.0), 71.0 (57.5, 75.0), 78.0 (68.0, 80.5), and 78.0 (64.0, 80.0), respectively. The time effects in VAS (χ2=65.423, P<0.001), WOMAC (F=46.710, P<0.001), and HHS (χ2=66.347, P<0.001) were all statistically significant. There were significant differences in each index between the values 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment and those before treatment respectively, and there was also a significant difference in each index between the value 1 month after treatment and that 3 months after treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in any indicator between the value 6 months after treatment and that 3 months after treatment (P>0.05). Significant difference was shown between the value 6 months after treatment and that 1 month after treatment in WOMAC (P=0.016), but not in VAS or HHS (P>0.05). No obvious adverse event was reported during the follow-up period.ConclusionsUltrasound-guided intra-articular PRP injection can effectively alleviate the pain and improve the hip joint function of patients with femoral head necrosis for at least 6 months. However, randomized controlled studies with a larger sample size and longer-term follow-up are needed in the future to confirm the efficacy and safety of PRP injection in femoral head necrosis.