Article Text
Abstract
Background: There has been much debate regarding the use of intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as symptomatic treatment for knee osteoarthritis. The heterogeneity of the preparation and injection protocols limits the extrapolation of data from randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses.
Objectives: The objective of this expert consensus was to develop the first clinical practice recommendations for PRP injections in knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: Fifteen physicians (10 rheumatologists, 4 specialists in rehabilitation and sport medicine and 1 interventional radiologist) from different countries were selected given to their expertise in the fields of PRP and osteoarthritis. Twenty-five recommendations were finally retained after several meetings using the modified Delphi method to establish clinical consensus. All experts voted their agreement or not for each recommendation using a score between 1 (totally inappropriate) and 9 (totally appropriate). Depending on the median value and extreme scores, recommendations were judged as appropriated or unappropriated with a strong or relative agreement but could also be judged as uncertain due to indecision or absence of consensus.
Results: The main recommendations are listed below:
- Intra-articular injections of PRP constitute an efficient treatment of early or moderate symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Median = 8 [6-9] – Appropriate. Relative agreement.
- Intra-articular injections of PRP may be useful in severe knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade IV). Median = 7 [6-7] – Appropriate. Relative agreement.
- Intra-articular injections of PRP in knee osteoarthritis should be proposed as second-line therapy, after failure of non-pharmacological and pharmacological (oral and topic) symptomatic treatment. Median = 9 [5-9] – Appropriate. Relative agreement.
- Intra-articular injections of PRP should not be performed in osteoarthritis flare-up with significant effusion. Median = 7 [5-9] – Appropriate. Relative agreement.
- Intra-articular PRP treatment may include 1 to 3 consecutive injections. Median = 9 [7-9] – Appropriate. Strong agreement.
- Leukocyte-poor PRP should be preferred for knee OA treatment. Median = 8 [5-9] – Appropriate. Relative agreement.
- PRP injections should be performed under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. Median = 8 [3-9] – Uncertain. No consensus.
- PRP should not be mixed with injectable anesthetic or corticosteroid. Median = 9 [6-9] – Appropriate. Relative agreement.
Conclusion: Twenty-five recommendations were discussed by an international multidisciplinary task force group in order to provide a basis for standardization of clinical practices and future research protocols.
Disclosure of Interests: Florent Eymard Consultant of: Regenlab, Paul Ornetti: None declared, Jérémy Maillet Consultant of: Regenlab, Eric Noel Consultant of: Regenlab, Philippe Adam Consultant of: Regenlab, Virginie Legré Boyer Consultant of: Regenlab, Thierry Boyer Consultant of: Regenlab, Fadoua Allali: None declared, Vincent Grémeaux Bader: None declared, Jean-François Kaux: None declared, Karine Louati: None declared, Martin Lamontagne Consultant of: Pendopharm, Fabrice Michel: None declared, Pascal Richette: None declared, Hervé Bard Consultant of: Regenlab
Statistics from Altmetric.com
Request Permissions
If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.