Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder affecting weight-bearing joints, particularly in the elderly. It leads to pain, mobility loss, and reduced quality of life. OA is complex, involving mechanical, biochemical, and inflammatory processes that degrade joint cartilage and affect surrounding structures. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and restricted movement. Current treatments, like analgesics and NSAIDs, offer only short-term relief. Emerging therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), show promise in promoting cartilage regeneration and reducing inflammation.

Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to further explore the role of PRP in managing knee OA, focusing on its effects on pain, function, and healing.

Methods: This prospective study, conducted over at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 1^st November 2009 to 30^th October 2010, recruited 70 knee osteoarthritis patients via purposive sampling. Inclusion criteria included age 41-80, BMI 20-29.9, chronic knee pain (≥ four months), and Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-3 knee osteoarthritis. Exclusion criteria encompassed severe osteoarthritis (grade 4), past knee surgery, recent hyaluronic acid injections, low haemoglobin, and a history of severe diseases. Patients underwent clinical evaluations and blood tests before treatment and were assessed at baseline, one, three, and six months post-PRP injections using WOMAC, KSS, and VAS scores. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with p ≤ 0.05 as significant.

Result: In this study, most were aged 51-60 years (38.57%), with a mean age of 58.64 ± 7.51 years. Gender distribution was slightly female-biased (55.71%). The mean BMI was 22.26 ± 1.84 kg/m². Knee issues predominantly affected the right side (58.57%). Osteoarthritis severity showed 42.86% with Grade 3 (moderate to severe). Significant clinical improvements were noted over six months, with WOMAC scores for pain, stiffness, and function all decreasing (p ≤ 0.001). KSS scores for knee-specific and functional outcomes also improved significantly, alongside VAS pain reductions (p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion: The study shows that Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy effectively treats knee osteoarthritis, significantly reducing pain and improving function over six months. Substantial improvements in WOMAC, KSS, and VAS scores highlight PRP's regenerative benefits, promoting cartilage healing and reducing inflammation, potentially delaying surgery for early to moderate osteoarthritis.