Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for the Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis
Liam D. A. Paget, Gustaaf Reurink, Robert‐Jan de Vos, Adam Weir, Maarten H. Moen, Sita Bierma‐Zeinstra, Sjoerd A.S. Stufkens, S. Peter Goedegebuure, Rover Krips, Mario Maas, Duncan E. Meuffels, Peter A. Nolte, J. Runhaar, Gino M. M. J. Kerkhoffs, Johannes L. Tol
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ankle osteoarthritis is debilitating and usually affects relatively young people, often as a result of previous ankle traumas, frequently occurring in sports. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for ankle osteoarthritis have shown no evidence of benefit over the course of 26 weeks. Previous studies on PRP for knee osteoarthritis showed that clinically significant improvements with PRP occurred between 6 to 12 months in the absence of initial benefit. No studies have evaluated the effect of PRP from 6 to 12 months in ankle osteoarthritis. PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of PRP injections in ankle osteoarthritis over the course of 52 weeks. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: In this 52-week follow-up trial, 100 patients with ankle osteoarthritis were randomized to a PRP group or placebo (saline) group. Patients received 2 intra-articular talocrural injections: at inclusion and after 6 weeks. Patient-reported outcome measures were used to assess pain, function, quality of life, and indirect costs over 52 weeks. RESULTS: = .31) in favor of the placebo group. No significant between-group differences were observed for any of the secondary outcome measures. CONCLUSION: For patients with ankle osteoarthritis, PRP injections did not improve ankle symptoms and function over 52 weeks compared with placebo injections. REGISTRATION: NTR7261 (Netherlands Trial Register).