FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF INTRA ARTICULAR PLATELET RICH PLASMA INJECTIONS IN OSTEOARTHROSIS KNEE

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative joint disorder and one of the leading causes of chronic pain and disability worldwide. Characterized by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone sclerosis, and inflammation of the synovium, OA primarily affects the elderly but is increasingly observed in younger populations due to obesity and lifestyle changes. The condition significantly impacts mobility, quality of life, and economic productivity, making it a major public health concern.

In India, the burden of knee OA has been steadily increasing due to an aging population and rising obesity rates. Conservative treatments, such as physiotherapy, weight management, and pharmacological interventions like NSAIDs and corticosteroids, provide symptomatic relief but fail to address the underlying disease process. Surgical interventions, such as total knee arthroplasty, are reserved for advanced stages but carry higher costs and potential complications.