Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection in Osteoarthritis (OA) Knee

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease in developing countries, including Indonesia. Although OA can affect all joints, the knee joint is the joint most commonly affected. The high prevalence of OA is due to increased life expectancy and the prevalence of obesity, which triggers chronic disability and increases social and economic burdens in developing countries. Treatment of knee OA is a challenge because the knee joint has low regenerative and recovery capabilities. Conservative therapies such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and opioids are only effective in managing pain and reducing inflammation. One of the regenerative therapies currently being developed to treat knee OA is injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which is an autologous blood product with high concentrations of platelets, growth factors, and cytokines. The use of PRP can be an alternative because it not only reduces inflammation, but has the ability to initiate and regenerate damaged tissue. However, even though PRP can be considered as a safe therapy for the treatment of knee OA, there are still pros and cons related to the technique used and the variation in the composition of the PRP used. This article will present the latest information regarding the mechanism and effectiveness of PRP in treating knee OA. Key words: Knee osteoarthritis, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), regenerative therapy