DOI: 10.32098/mltj_2026_6625

Intra-articular platelet rich plasma vs. corticosteroid vs. hyaluronic acid in the treatment of mild and moderate osteoarthritis of the knee

Authors

  • Anooj Pravin Chheda Department of Orthopaedics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India
  • E Dilip Kumar Naidu Department of Orthopaedics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India
  • Sabari Vaasan Lakshmi Kanthan Department of Orthopaedics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India
  • Nambiraj Gowthaman Department of Orthopaedics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India
  • Madhan Raju Department of Orthopaedics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India
  • Abraham Aleyas Department of Orthopaedics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India
  • Abhinand Madhulakshmi Jayachandran Department of Orthopaedics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India
  • Ashwin Mathew Kadavil Department of Orthopaedics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India

ac2909@srmist.edu.in

Keywords

Articular cartilage, corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, Visual Analog Scale

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disorder marked by cartilage deterioration, subchondral bone alteration, and persistent synovitis. Effective nonsurgical interventions are crucial for alleviating pain and enhancing functionality.

Methods: This prospective cohort study assessed 105 individuals aged over 45 years with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis during a one-year duration. Patients were randomly assigned to three distinct categories: group 1 obtained intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (n = 35), group 2 received intra-articular corticosteroid (triamcinolone acetonide, 40 mg) (n = 35), and group 3 received intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) (n = 35). Pain alleviation and functional enhancement were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months utilising the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).

Results: The baseline features were analogous across the groups. Group 3 (HA) consistently exhibited the most significant enhancement in both VAS and WOMAC scores at 3, 6, and 12 months (p < 0.001), while group 1 (PRP) and group 2 (corticosteroid) displayed comparable but lower enduring improvements.

Conclusion: Intra-articular HA injections demonstrated superior efficacy compared to PRP and corticosteroid injections for sustained pain alleviation and functional enhancement in mild to severe knee osteoarthritis.

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References

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Published

2026-03-31

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2026)

How to Cite

1.
Pravin Chheda A, Kumar Naidu ED, Vaasan Lakshmi Kanthan S, Gowthaman N, Raju M, Aleyas A, et al. Intra-articular platelet rich plasma vs. corticosteroid vs. hyaluronic acid in the treatment of mild and moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. MLTJ [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 31 [cited 2026 Nov. 12];16(1). Available from: https://mltj.online/index.php/mltj/article/view/6625