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Scientists of the Clinical Medical Multidisciplinary Center named after St. Luke's KFU developed and put into practice a method for the treatment of joint diseases using autologous plasma (PRP). When compared with other methods, the use of platelet-rich plasma injections showed the highest results.

The study of the effectiveness of 3 methods of treatment of osteoarthritis was conducted on 128 patients divided into three groups: the participants of the first were injected with PRP inside the joint, the participants of the second – hyaluronic acid, the third used a standard combination of drugs. The results showed that platelet-rich plasma leads to tissue repair and pain reduction much faster than other drugs.

"After the affected area of the vessel is blocked, the platelets injected by us begin to secrete a lot of biologically active substances that contribute to the restoration of the damaged area. Autologous plasma blocks the inflammatory process in the joints, thereby preventing the development of oxidative stress. The advantage of the PRP injection method is also that it does not have side effects and has a very narrow range of contraindications," said Vyacheslav Mikhailichenko, head of the surgical department of the St. Luke's Medical Center.

Compared to the PRP method, the standard treatment program is less effective, and hyaluronic acid has many side effects. The researchers compared the actions of the selected methods according to the intensity of pain, using the Lecan Index and the Osteoarthritis Index of the Universities of Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC). The control was carried out at the initial treatment of the patient, as well as 1, 3 and 6 months after the completion of the course of treatment.

"The results obtained will allow us to use a new technique in our clinic for the treatment of patients with bone degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, the use of autologous plasma is also possible for chronic arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities, which also follows from the results of the experiment. Together, this will allow us to improve the dynamics of recovery for these groups, minimize financial costs and reduce the time of disability of patients," Vyacheslav Mikhailichenko added.

The scientist notes that the most significant results were recorded in patients with stages 1-3 of arthrosis, which made it possible to avoid the implantation of artificial joints in the future. The results of the study are presented in the article "Platelet-rich plasma administration in osteoarthrosis treatment", published in the scientific journal "Russian Open Medical Journal", indexed by the Scopus abstract database.

Information and photos provided by the press service of the KFU

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