The effect of autogenous platelet rich plasma on experimentally induced osteoarthritis in rabbit’s stifles joint: a radiological assessment

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and the major cause of chronic disability in musculoskeletal mobility in the elderly populations worldwide. In this study, we used scaffold free authogenous platelet rich plasma (PRP) in an experimental animal model of osteoarthritis (OA) by direct intra articular injection. Thirty white New Zealand adult rabbits of both sexes were used in this study. Osteoarthritis was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection of the left knee joints. The rabbits were divided into three groups randomly; Eight weeks after operation, a single dose (0.5 ml) of plate rich plasma (PRP) was delivered to the injured knee by direct intra articular injection (group 1, the treatment group). The preventive group received the same amount of PRP right after operation. The control group received no treatment. The knees were examined on 8, 12 and 16 weeks after the surgery. The repairing process was investigated radiologically. Radiological assessment confirmed development of OA changes after 8 weeks in rabbits of group 1 and 2. Rabbits received PRP (group 1, the treatment group) showed lower degree of cartilage degeneration, osteophyte formation, and subchondral sclerosis compared to the control group on16 weeks after surgery. In the preventive group, there was no OA development. PRP could be a valuable medium and the promising source for the treatment of osteoarthritis as well as for the prevention of the development of OA