Intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma injection is more effective than intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials

Abstract Purpose We aim to compare the clinical effects of intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) injection with those of intraarticular hyaluronic acid (HA) injection in adult patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods Two authors independently reviewed databases, including Pub...

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Main Authors: Yu-Ning Peng, Yu-Hsiang Peng, Jean-Lon Chen, Carl P. C. Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Knee Surgery & Related Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43019-025-00266-5
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author Yu-Ning Peng
Yu-Hsiang Peng
Jean-Lon Chen
Carl P. C. Chen
author_facet Yu-Ning Peng
Yu-Hsiang Peng
Jean-Lon Chen
Carl P. C. Chen
author_sort Yu-Ning Peng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose We aim to compare the clinical effects of intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) injection with those of intraarticular hyaluronic acid (HA) injection in adult patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods Two authors independently reviewed databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in our meta-analysis. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores (WOMAC total, pain, stiffness, and physical function scores), visual analog scale (VAS) scores, EQ-VAS scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, and adverse events were used as outcome measurements to evaluate the efficacy of LP-PRP and HA treatment. Results After screening 377 potential articles, 12 RCTs were included in this systemic review and meta-analysis. The WOMAC total scores and WOMAC physical function scores of the LP-PRP group were better than those of the HA group at 6 and 12 months. VAS scores of the LP-PRP group were better than those of the HA group at 3, 6, and 12 months. The LP-PRP group showed a better outcome of IKDC scores than the HA group at 6 months. There was no significant difference in adverse events between the LP-PRP and HA groups. Conclusion Intraarticular injections of LP-PRP showed better overall outcomes, such as WOMAC total scores, WOMAC physical function scores, VAS scores, and IKDC scores, compared with HA for adult patients with knee osteoarthritis at 6- and 12-month follow-up periods. Also, LP-PRP showed better pain relief compared with HA at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up periods. Intraarticular LP-PRP improves pain relief and overall outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
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spelling doaj-art-657b69b9187f41e1ba22ea041968df592025-08-20T03:40:47ZengBMCKnee Surgery & Related Research2234-24512025-03-0137111610.1186/s43019-025-00266-5Intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma injection is more effective than intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trialsYu-Ning Peng0Yu-Hsiang Peng1Jean-Lon Chen2Carl P. C. Chen3Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung UniversityDepartment of Medicine, MacKay Medical CollegeDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung UniversityDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung UniversityAbstract Purpose We aim to compare the clinical effects of intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) injection with those of intraarticular hyaluronic acid (HA) injection in adult patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods Two authors independently reviewed databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in our meta-analysis. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores (WOMAC total, pain, stiffness, and physical function scores), visual analog scale (VAS) scores, EQ-VAS scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, and adverse events were used as outcome measurements to evaluate the efficacy of LP-PRP and HA treatment. Results After screening 377 potential articles, 12 RCTs were included in this systemic review and meta-analysis. The WOMAC total scores and WOMAC physical function scores of the LP-PRP group were better than those of the HA group at 6 and 12 months. VAS scores of the LP-PRP group were better than those of the HA group at 3, 6, and 12 months. The LP-PRP group showed a better outcome of IKDC scores than the HA group at 6 months. There was no significant difference in adverse events between the LP-PRP and HA groups. Conclusion Intraarticular injections of LP-PRP showed better overall outcomes, such as WOMAC total scores, WOMAC physical function scores, VAS scores, and IKDC scores, compared with HA for adult patients with knee osteoarthritis at 6- and 12-month follow-up periods. Also, LP-PRP showed better pain relief compared with HA at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up periods. Intraarticular LP-PRP improves pain relief and overall outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43019-025-00266-5KneeOsteoarthritisLeukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasmaLeukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasmaHyaluronic acid
spellingShingle Yu-Ning Peng
Yu-Hsiang Peng
Jean-Lon Chen
Carl P. C. Chen
Intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma injection is more effective than intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials
Knee Surgery & Related Research
Knee
Osteoarthritis
Leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma
Leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma
Hyaluronic acid
title Intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma injection is more effective than intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials
title_full Intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma injection is more effective than intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials
title_fullStr Intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma injection is more effective than intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials
title_full_unstemmed Intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma injection is more effective than intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials
title_short Intraarticular leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma injection is more effective than intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials
title_sort intraarticular leukocyte poor platelet rich plasma injection is more effective than intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis a systematic review and meta analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials
topic Knee
Osteoarthritis
Leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma
Leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma
Hyaluronic acid
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43019-025-00266-5
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