Effect of Different Injection Regimens of Autologous Conditioned Plasma for Knee Osteoarthritis

Overview

The clinical efficacy of hyaluronic acid or corticosteroid injections has been reported, but effects are short lived. This has led to the development of additional injection options such as autologous derived blood products which have been documented to alleviate symptoms related to knee osteoarthritis, with recent comparative studies suggesting a greater, long-lasting effect with these blood derived products like platelet rich plasma (PRP) \[2-8\]. One clinically-developed preparation of platelet rich plasma, named autologous conditioned plasma (ACP), has randomized controlled trial data proving efficacy \[4,9\]. Clinical use of platelet rich plasma for knee arthritis typically involves a 3-injection series over 3 weeks, i.e. an injection once a week for three weeks. The main objective of this study is to determine if hyaluronic acid (HA) injected at the same time as autologous conditioned plasma (ACP), a leukocyte-poor platelet rich plasma product, will improve the performance of ACP in the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. It is hypothesized that the injection of hyaluronic acid will improve the efficacy of ACP.

Patients between the ages of 30 and 80 who have documented radiographic evidence of OA in the tibiofemoral or patellofemoral compartment of the target knee (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 1-4) will be screened for participation in this study. Patients must have a documented diagnosis of primary OA for at least six weeks. 80 patients will be recruited through the Andrews Institute physician practices. The study design will be a randomized control trial. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will have the study explained in detail, and informed consent will be obtained as outlined above. Participants will complete patient-reported outcome questionnaires prior to their injection. The questionnaires will include the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form (IKDC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Participants will also complete these questionnaires at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the final injection. A trained medical professional will draw blood from the patient's arm, and the blood will be spun in a centrifuge for 5 minutes at 1500 RPM. The platelets will then be separated for injection into the patient's knee. The treating physician will then inject the ACP into the involved knee joint following standard aseptic technique per the physician's standard of care. This entire process will be completed in a single patient visit. Any unused portion of a sample in the physician's office will be disposed of through standard biohazard waste disposal systems as required by law. Group 1 \[ACP\]: Will receive three intra-articular injections of autologous conditioned plasma dosed once a week for three weeks. Group 2 \[ACP-HA\]: Will receive two intra-articular injections of autologous conditioned plasma and hyaluronic acid once a week for two weeks and a third injection on the third week of ACP.