Platelet-rich Plasma Treatment for Military Personnel with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Authors

Merilynn Cariaga, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Orthopedics

Advisor

Dr. Nancy Reid

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A significant number of active-duty personnel are affected by knee osteoarthritis (OA), and not every patient is amenable to surgery for a variety of reasons. There is no pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic therapy to halt or reverse the progression of OA of the knee, but treatment can help slow the damage and relieve the discomfort to reduce disability and improve quality of life. Available nonsurgical modalities constitute the mainstay treatment, including changes in daily activities, physical therapy, pharmacotherapy, and corticosteroid injections. However, most of these options have shown moderated, short-term effectiveness, or no effectiveness at all. This has led to a search for new non-operative treatment options to target individuals who do not meet surgical intervention criteria. Ortho-biologic therapies like Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can effectively treat pain for young military service members with osteoarthritis of the knee. Despite promising PRP results for treating degenerative joint conditions, additional studies are needed to provide definitive conclusions.

Recommended Citation

Cariaga M. Platelet-rich Plasma Treatment for Military Personnel with Osteoarthritis of the Knee. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 3(2).