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25/04/2024

New recommendations for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: European consensus ESSKA-ORBIT highlights the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

• Twittear

• Experts in sports traumatology, knee surgery and arthroscopy from ESSKA-ORBIT, the largest European association of musculoskeletal specialists, have published a consensus on the efficacy of the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for knee osteoarthritis (OA).
• PRP has shown effectiveness in providing pain attenuation and improving mobility in patients with mild to moderate stages of knee OA.

After several years of work, the consensus reached by leading European experts in sports traumatology, knee surgery and arthroscopy has recently been published, shedding light on promising treatment options for knee osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of the European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA-ORBIT) consensus was to provide evidence-based recommendations and expert experience for the use of orthobiologics (drugs developed from living organisms or their derivatives to heal tissues), especially platelet-rich plasma (PRP), in the treatment of knee OA.

The consensus was based on a comprehensive review of the scientific literature and expert opinion. Twenty-eight key questions related to the use of PRP in knee OA were identified, addressing aspects such as the rationale and indications for PRP, its preparation and characterization, as well as the administration protocol.

According to the results , PRP injections are observed to provide greater pain relief, improved mobility, have a longer lasting effect and fewer side effects compared to other injectable treatments, proving to be more effective in patients with mild to moderate stages of knee OA.

OA affects millions of people worldwide, with a steady increase due to the aging population. The knee is the joint most affected by OA, and its treatment is still under debate. In this context, orthobiologics have emerged as a promising alternative, especially in the early stages of OA. And of all the known and possible treatments to date, PRP stands out as a promising treatment option for the non-surgical management of knee OA, supported by scientific evidence and expert opinion in this field.

 About ESSKA-ORBIT:

The ESSKA ORthoBiologics Initiative (ORBIT) aims to improve the quality of care in the field of orthobiologics in a transparent and scientific manner. ORBIT has prioritized the adoption of an evidence-based and systematic approach to evaluate the efficacy of existing and emerging orthobiologic treatments. Dr. Mikel Sánchez is a member of the steering group responsible for developing consensus on orthobiologic treatments and actively participates, together with other members of his team from the Arthroscopic Surgery Unit (UCA), in the regular meetings held.