Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of chronic pain and functional impairment. Corticosteroid (CS) injections provide short-term symptom relief but have limited long-term efficacy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a regenerative alternative with potentially sustained benefits.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of intra-articular PRP and CS injections in patients with knee OA.

Methods: In this prospective randomised study, 70 patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grade II–III knee OA were allocated into PRP (n=35) and CS (n=35) groups. Baseline and follow-up assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months included VAS, WOMAC, and KOOS scores. Adverse events were recorded.

Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Both PRP and CS groups demonstrated significant improvement in pain and function at 1 month. At 3 and 6 months, the PRP group maintained significantly greater improvement in VAS (2.9 vs 5.5 at 6 months, p<0.001), WOMAC (24.8 vs 45.9, p<0.001), and KOOS scores (75.9 vs 55.3, p<0.001). Adverse events were mild and self-limited.

Conclusion: PRP injections provided superior and sustained improvement in pain and function compared to corticosteroids in knee OA with a favorable safety profile. PRP may be considered a preferable non-surgical option in suitable patients.