Hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma intraarticular injections in young high-intensity athletes with early knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of physical disability worldwide; in fact, because there is no cure. With the purpose of reversing the degenerative process that osteoarthritis causes, and therefore, heal it; the criteria to diagnose early-stage osteoarthritis has been suggested, so patients at risk of developing it and responders to certain treatments will be identified. For these profile patients, in which high-intensity athletes are included, intraarticular hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma injections may offer the possibility to reverse, or at least, halt osteoarthritis degeneration Objective The purpose of the project is to determine whether reverse progression of osteoarthritis, or at least, cessation of further degeneration is possible by using minimally invasive procedures, including HA and PRP intraarticular injections Design A triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Designed as multicenter, based at the hospital Santa Caterina in Salt Participants Young high-intensity athletes diagnosed with early osteoarthritis by Criteria for early osteoarthritis of the Articular Cartilage Committee of ESSKA