Key Takeaway
Combining PRP with hyaluronic acid (HA) for knee osteoarthritis provides greater improvements in pain and function scores compared to PRP alone, with a comparable safety profile.
Summary
This meta-analysis and systematic review compared the clinical efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma combined with hyaluronic acid (PRP + HA) versus PRP monotherapy for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The analysis pooled data from randomized controlled trials evaluating WOMAC scores, VAS pain scores, Lequesne index, and IKDC scores.
The results showed that the combination of PRP + HA yielded statistically significant improvements in pain relief and functional outcomes compared to PRP alone. Subgroup analyses consistently favored the combination therapy, suggesting synergistic benefits from the regenerative properties of PRP and the viscoelastic lubrication provided by hyaluronic acid.
Importantly, the combination therapy demonstrated a safety profile comparable to PRP monotherapy, with no significant increase in adverse events. These findings suggest that adding hyaluronic acid to PRP injections may enhance treatment outcomes for knee osteoarthritis patients.
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