The role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treatment of the canine osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease accompanied by a progressive reduction of extracellular matrices in joint cartilage and bone and, eventually, loss of joint function and excessive morbidity. OA has been reported in various animal spesies, such as canine. During years, various therapeutic measurs have been used for treating the OA. The purpose of this article is to investigate the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treatment of the canine osteoarthritis. PRP is the concentration of platelets derived from the plasma portion of one’s own blood. It can be injected in the site of injury, or it can be made into a platelet-rich fibrin clot (PRFC) to use as a scaffold and source for sustained releasing of growth factors. These growth factors reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which dampens the production of destructive matrix. In veterinary medicine, PRP has most often been reported for tendon/ligament injuries and osteoarthritis. The majority of the veterinary literature reporting on PRP involves its use in equine patients, and evidence in canine patients is few. In summary, PRP appears to be safe and potentially useful in treating a number of orthopedic conditions. In vitro data and clinical results in other species are encouraging