Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Belk JW, Kraeutler MJ, Houck DA, et al. · The American Journal of Sports Medicine

PRP produced greater WOMAC improvement than HA (44.7% vs 12.6%, P<.01); 6 of 11 VAS studies favored PRP. Leukocyte-poor PRP was associated with better IKDC scores than leukocyte-rich.

Population

18 level 1 RCTs; 811 PRP and 797 HA patients with knee OA, mean follow-up 11.1 months

Intervention

Intra-articular PRP (various protocols)

Comparator

Intra-articular hyaluronic acid

Limitations

High heterogeneity in PRP preparation; comparator (HA) itself performs near placebo; publication bias plausible.