Comparison between the effects of ultrasound guided intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, and their combination in hip osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial

Platelet-rich plasma for nonoperative management of degenerative meniscal tears: A systematic review

Background

Meniscus tears are a common cause of knee pain encountered in orthopedics and sports medicine. There are numerous management strategies, from physical therapy and oral medications to surgery. Recent evidence is more favorable for conservative management, as operative treatment has limited clinical benefits and is associated with an accelerated progression toward osteoarthritis. Injections with orthobiologic therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), are emerging as an alternative therapeutic tool for degenerative tears. This study aims to evaluate the latest evidence regarding the efficacy of PRP injections for the nonoperative management of degenerative meniscal pathology.

Data sources

Articles were obtained from Embase, PubMed, World of Science, Cochrane, and Galileo databases after searching "Platelet-rich plasma" AND "Meniscus." Inclusion criteria consisted of original, human studies evaluating the use of platelet-rich plasma for nonoperative management of meniscus tears.

Main results

A total of 384 articles were screened, with ten studies selected for final inclusion. The pooled study population comprised 686 patients, with an average age ranging from 33 to 53 years, and a 38% female population. Three different injection approaches were utilized, categorized as intra-articular alone (IA), intra-meniscal alone (IM), or a combination of both. Most studies demonstrated improved pain and functionality by 3 months that persisted for at least one year. Within the IA and IM groups, the majority of patients were either radiographically stable (30-70%) or demonstrated interval healing (40-60%). Several studies within IM and combined treatment groups evaluated rates and time to arthroscopy, and found lower failure rates and greater arthroscopy-free survival time than control comparison groups.

Conclusion

PRP appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment strategy for degenerative meniscal pathology. However, due to diverse periprocedural techniques, PRP injectate characteristics, and a lack of high-quality studies, additional trials are needed to provide greater a degree of confidence in PRP's clinical impact on patients with meniscus tears.

Level of evidence

Systematic Review.

Comparison of autologous serum and platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of severe dry eye and persistent epithelial defects

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy of topical autologous serum and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in patients with severe dry eye and persistent epithelial defects.

METHODS

Sixty-seven eyes of 42 patients including 12 Sjogren, 11 meibomian gland dysfunction, 8 post penetrating keratoplasty, 5 acne rosacea, 5 chemical burn and 3 neurotophic keratopathy were analyzed. Best corrected visual acuity, Schirmer, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time, Oxford staining scores were measured before the treatment and 1 month. One month scores of two groups were compared.

RESULTS

Thirty three eyes received autologous serum and 34 received PRP. There was no statistically significant differences between two groups in ocular surface parameters at baseline. Statistically significant improvements were achieved in both groups in all parameters at 1 month (p < 0.05). Schirmer score improved from 7.9 ± 7.6 to 10.6 ± 8.4 mm in autologous serum (p < 0.001) and from 10.9 ± 9.5 to 13.3 ± 10.1 in PRP (p < 0.001); BUT from 4.3 ± 2.7 to 6.7 ± 3.4 s (p < 0.001) and 4.5 ± 3.0 to 6.0 ± 3.6 (p < 0.001); OSDI from 47.7 ± 14.7 to 25.7 ± 11.0 (p < 0.001) and from 54.1 ± 17.3 to 26.8 ± 11.0 (p < 0.001); Oxford score from 4.0 ± 1.0 to 1.3 ± 1.1 in (p < 0.001) and 3.9 ± 0.9 to 1.6 ± 1.3 (p < 0.001) respectively. Significant visual improvement was achieved with PRP from 0.81 ± 0.73 LogMAR to 0.72 ± 0.63 (p = 0.025), whereas insignificant with serum from 0.60 ± 0.65 to 0.57 ± 0.67 (p = 0.147). Mean epithelial healing time was 6.7 ± 4.7 (2-14) days in serum and 3.6 ± 1.9 (2-7) in PRP (p = 0.195).

CONCLUSIONS

Both treatments are equally effective in severe dry eye and persistent epithelial defects. Although, visual gain is higher in PRP, autologous serum may be preferable due to low cost.

The bioengineering application of hyaluronic acid in tissue regeneration and repair

The multifaceted role of hyaluronic acid (HA) across diverse biomedical disciplines underscores its versatility in tissue regeneration and repair. HA hydrogels employ different crosslinking including chemical (chitosan, collagen), photo- initiation (riboflavin, LAP), enzymatic (HRP/H2O2), and physical interactions (hydrogen bonds, metal coordination). In biophysics and biochemistry, HA's signaling pathways, primarily through CD44 and RHAMM receptors, modulate cell behavior (cell migration; internalization of HA), inflammation, and wound healing. Particularly, smaller HA fragments stimulate inflammatory responses through toll-like receptors, impacting macrophages and cytokine expression. HA's implications in oncology highlight its involvement in tumor progression, metastasis, and treatment. Elevated HA in tumor stroma impacts apoptosis resistance and promotes tumor growth, presenting potential therapeutic targets to halt tumor progression. In orthopedics, HA's presence in synovial fluid aids in osteoarthritis management, as its supplementation alleviates pain, enhances synovial fluid's viscoelastic properties, and promotes cartilage integrity. In ophthalmology, HA's application in dry eye syndrome addresses symptoms by moisturizing the eyes, replenishing tear film deficiencies, and facilitating wound healing. Intravitreal injections and hydrogel-based systems offer versatile approaches for drug delivery and vitreous humor replacement. For skin regeneration and wound healing, HA hydrogel dressings exhibit exceptional properties by promoting moist wound healing and facilitating tissue repair. Integration of advanced regenerative tools like stem cells and solubilized amnion membranes into HA-based systems accelerates wound closure and tissue recovery. Overall, HA's unique properties and interactions render it a promising candidate across diverse biomedical domains, showcasing immense potentials in tissue regeneration and therapeutic interventions. Nevertheless, many detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms of HA and its applications remain unexplored and warrant further investigation.

Clinical efficacy of multiple intra-articular injection for hip osteoarthritis

Aims

Intra-articular (IA) injection may be used when treating hip osteoarthritis (OA). Common injections include steroids, hyaluronic acid (HA), local anaesthetic, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Network meta-analysis allows for comparisons between two or more treatment groups and uses direct and indirect comparisons between interventions. This network meta-analysis aims to compare the efficacy of various IA injections used in the management of hip OA with a follow-up of up to six months.

Methods

This systematic review and network meta-analysis used a Bayesian random-effects model to evaluate the direct and indirect comparisons among all treatment options. PubMed, Web of Science, Clinicaltrial.gov, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to February 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluate the efficacy of HA, PRP, local anaesthetic, steroid, steroid+anaesthetic, HA+PRP, and physiological saline injection as a placebo, for patients with hip OA were included.

Results

In this meta-analysis of 16 RCTs with a total of 1,735 participants, steroid injection was found to be significantly more effective than placebo injection on reported pain at three months, but no significant difference was observed at six months. Furthermore, steroid injection was considerably more effective than placebo injection for functional outcomes at three months, while the combination of HA+PRP injection was substantially more effective at six months.

Conclusion

Evidence suggests that steroid injection is more effective than saline injection for the treatment of hip joint pain, and restoration of functional outcomes.

Naked mole-rat hyaluronan

Naked mole rats (NMRs) are renowned for their exceptional longevity and remarkable maintenance of health throughout their lifetime. Their subterranean lifestyle has led to adaptations that have resulted in elevated levels of a very high molecular weight hyaluronan in their tissues. Hyaluronan, a glycosaminoglycan, is a key component of the extracellular matrix, which plays a critical role in maintaining tissue structure and regulating cell signaling pathways. This phenomenon in NMRs is attributed to a higher processing and production capacity by some of their hyaluronan synthases, along with lower degradation by certain hyaluronidases. Furthermore, this adaptation indirectly confers several advantages to NMRs, such as the preservation of skin elasticity and youthful appearance, accelerated wound healing, protection against oxidative stress, and resistance to conditions such as cancer and arthritis, largely attributable to CD44 signaling and other intricate mechanisms. Thus, the main objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive study of the distinctive features of NMR hyaluronan, particularly emphasizing the currently known molecular mechanisms that contribute to its beneficial properties. Furthermore, this research delves into the potential applications of NMR hyaluronan in both cosmetic and therapeutic fields, as well as the challenges involved.

Ultrasound-Guided Hip Injections with High Density Hyaluronic Acid: Outcome at One Year Follow Up

Background: The ultrasound-guided viscosupplementation of the hip joint with hyaluronic acid (HA) is considered a standard procedure among the conservative treatments for hip arthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical benefit and the incidence of adverse events of the technique in an observational study at one year follow up. Methods: We evaluated a consecutive series of 85 patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic arthritis who underwent intra-articular ultrasound-guided hyaluronic acid injections. The scales used for evaluation were modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster University), and Hip Outcome Score (HOS) with subscale Sport (HOSs), for pain the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS). The patients were classified according to Tonnis' radiological classification of arthritis (range 0-3): 20 patients (grade 0), 32 (grade 1), 18 (grade 2), 15 (grade 3). Results: At last follow up, all the scales increased: mHHS from 59.35 to 82.1, HOS from 69.45 to 78.53, HOss from 47.4 to 58.11, VAS from 6.09 to 3.97, WOMAC from 33.2 to 31.5 (p < 0.05 for all the parameters); the results were elaborated with GraphPad Prism v5.0 (Prism Software La Jolla, CA, USA) using Wilcoxon's test. A total of 13 patients out of 85 needed arthroplasty, all classified as Tonnis grade 3. No serious adverse events were noted due to the procedure. Conclusions: Based on our findings, indication for the use of hyaluronic acid is limited to patients with mild to moderate arthritis. Patients in advanced arthritis refusing replacement surgery and asking for this treatment should be informed about the poor results of the technique even in the short term.

Most Orthopaedic Platelet-Rich Plasma Investigations Don't Report Protocols and Composition: An Updated Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To systematically review the literature to assess the heterogeneity of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparation and composition reporting for the treatment of musculoskeletal/orthopaedic pathologies.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify Level I and Level II studies from 2016 to 2022 that evaluated the use of PRP therapy for musculoskeletal pathologies. The search phrase used was "platelet-rich plasma clinical studies." Studies were assessed based on their reporting of the PRP preparation methods and reporting of PRP composition.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-four studies (in 120 articles) met inclusion criteria for analysis. Of these studies, 15 (12.1%) provided comprehensive reporting, including a clear, well-described, and reproducible preparation protocol that future investigators can follow. Thirty-three studies (26.6%) quantitatively reported the final PRP product composition.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the studies using PRP for the treatment of musculoskeletal/orthopaedic pathologies, less than 20% provided a clear, well-described, and reproducible PRP preparation protocol, and only one-fourth of studies reported on the final PRP product composition.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

A diverse current reporting of PRP composition between studies provides a high heterogeneity of the term "PRP," which becomes a limitation for a comparison of studies using PRP.

Comparing Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma With Hyaluronic Acid for the Treatment of Hip Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hip osteoarthritis (HOA), a prevalent condition among those aged 55 years and above, is a significant cause of joint pain and functional impairment and it contributes to the overall burden of chronic pain experienced by the elderly population. While platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) injections have emerged as innovative therapeutic approaches for managing osteoarthritis, their effectiveness in HOA remains a subject of contention. Therefore, the objective of this review was to assess the efficacy of PRP versus HA in terms of pain relief and functional outcomes for the management of HOA. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases from 2013 to 2023 to identify pertinent randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A total of seven trials (478 participants) were included. The selected studies underwent quality assessment using the updated Cochrane risk of bias tool. The pain and functional outcomes were examined using measures of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scale, visual analog scale (VAS), and Harris hip score (HHS). In the meta-analysis, standard mean differences (SMDs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate overall effect magnitudes for continuous outcomes were extracted. Statistical significance was determined using p-values below 0.05. At six months, the PRP group experienced a significantly lower standard mean WOMAC pain score (SMD = -0.38, CI = -0.64 - 0.13; p = 0.03). No significant differences in WOMAC pain scores were noted at one to two months (SMD = 0.09, CI = -0.24, 0.43; p = 0.59), and at 12 months (SMD = -0.85, CI = -1.81, 0.12; p = 0.09). Similarly, for VAS, patients on PRP showed a slight improvement in their VAS scores at six months (SMD = -0.50, CI = -0.89, -0.12; p < 0.01). However, no significant differences in VAS between the PRP groups and the HA groups were observed at one to two months (SMD = -0.22, CI = -0.49, 0.04; p = 0.10) and at 12 months (SMD = -0.22, CI: -0.63, 0.19; p = 0.29). In terms of hip dysfunction, there was no statistically significant standard mean difference in HHS between the PRP and HA groups at six months (SMD = 0.02, CI = -0.40, 0.44; p = 0.93), and at 12 months (SMD = -0.31, CI = -0.32, 0.22; p = 0.73). This review and meta-analysis provide insights into emerging treatments for HOA, especially considering that PRP shows potential benefits and safety for patients with HOA during mid-term follow-up in a 12-month period. Nevertheless, it is necessary to conduct research that includes high-quality designs and larger sample sizes to validate the comparative efficacy of these treatments.

Efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

In recent years, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for osteoarthritis (OA) have been widely promoted in clinical practice, but their effectiveness is controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the efficacy and safety of PRP injections for the treatment of OA.

Methods

We searched databases including Embase, Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies. Two researchers (YQX and CG) performed literature screening, baseline data extraction, literature quality assessment, and heterogeneity analysis of RCTs from the retrieved studies. Based on the magnitude of heterogeneity I², random-effects or fixed-effects models were selected for the meta-analysis.

Results

We included 24 RCTs comprising 1344 patients with OA who met the inclusion criteria, with the main types of morbidity being knee osteoarthritis (KOA), hip osteoarthritis (HOA), ankle osteoarthritis (AOA), and temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA). Our results indicate that PRP injections were effective in improving Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores in patients with KOA, HOA, and AOA compared to controls (AOA, MD = -1.15, CI = 95% [-1.74, -0.56], I² = 40%, P < 0.05; KOA, MD = -1.03, CI = 95% [-1.16, -0.9], I² = 87%, P < 0.05; TMJOA, MD = -1.35, CI = 95% [-1.74, -0.97], I² = 92%, P < 0.05) but showed no significant efficacy in patients with HOA (MD = -0.27, CI = 95% [-0.8, 0.26], I² = 56%, P>0.05). Compared to controls, PRP injections were effective in improving Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), including the patient's pain symptoms, activities of daily living (ADL), and adhesion symptomatology, but not for that of sports function (KOOS-pain, MD = 2.77, CI = 95% [0, 5.53], I² = 0%, P < 0.05; KOOS-symptoms, MD = 3.73, CI = 95% [0.76, 6.71], I² = 0%, P < 0.05; KOOS-ADL, MD = 3.61, CI = 95% [0.79, 6.43], I² = 0%, P < 0.05; KOOS-QOL, MD = 4.66, CI = 95% [0.98, 8.35], I² = 29%, P < 0.05, KOOS-sport, MD = 0.48, CI = 95% [-3.02, 3.98], I² = 0%, P > 0.05). PRP injections were effective in improving Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, including pain, stiffness, and functional joint motion, in patients with OA compared with the control group (WOMAC-pain, MD = -1.08, CI = 95% [-1.62, -0.53], I² = 87%, P < 0.05; WOMAC-stiffness, MD = -1.17, CI = 88% [-1.72, -0.63], I² = 87%, P < 0.05; WOMAC-function, MD = -1.12, CI = 95% [-1.65, -0.58], I² = 87%, P < 0.05). In addition, subgroup analysis showed that leukocyte-poor (LP) PRP injections were more effective than leukocyte-rich (LR) PRP injections in improving pain symptoms in patients with OA (VAS, LR-PRP, MD = -0.81, CI = 95% [-1.65, -0.03], I² = 83%, P = 0.06 > 0.05; LP-PRP, MD = -1.62, CI = 95% [-2.36, -0.88], I² = 92%, P < 0.05). A subgroup analysis based on injection sites showed that no statistical difference in efficacy between intra-articular (IA) combined with intra-osseous (IO) simultaneous PRP injections. IA PRP injections only improved VAS pain scores in patients with OA (IA+IO PRP injections, MD = -0.74, CI =95% [-1.29, -0.18], I² = 61%, P < 0.05; IA PRP injections, MD = -1.43, CI = 95% [-2.18, -0.68], I² = 87%, P < 0.05, test for subgroup differences, P > 0.05, I² = 52.7%).

Conclusion

PRP injection therapy can safely and effectively improve functional activity in patients with OA and produce positive analgesic effects in patients with KOA, TMJOA, and AOA. However, PRP injection therapy did not significantly reduce pain symptoms in patients with HOA. In addition, the analgesic effect of LP-PRP was greater than that of LR-PRP.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022362066.