Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Treatment of Chondromalacia Patella

Background and Anterior knee pain (AKP) is one of the most common disorders in young individuals and adults. Pathophysiology of AKP is not clear but chondromalacia patella is considered as the main cause. Different evidences show that physical therapy can alleviate Patellofemoral pain. Despite these therapeutic modalities the treatment of chondromalacia patella is not accurate and most cases are resistant to treatment. A novel and appropriate therapeutic modality is definitely required. This study compared the therapeutic effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and physiotherapy in relieving the AKP. A prospective non-randomized clinical trial was performed in 60 patients with anterior knee pain and chondromalacia patella. They were assigned into two groups to receive either physiotherapy or intra-articular (knee) injection of PRP (n=30 per group). Outcome was evaluated using Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and the complications of treatment were recorded. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, sex and the involved knee (right or left) (P<0.05). But duration of pain before treatment showed a significant difference (P<0.05). At 45 days follow up, the symptoms and level of pain in the group that received physiotherapy decreased significantly (P<0.05). We did not observe any treatment complication in the two groups. This study signifies the role of physiotherapy in decreasing the symptoms and relieving the anterior knee pain.