The Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis – A Review of Current Clinical Evidence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2025.82.60612Keywords
knee osteoarthrisis, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, combination therapy, PRP, HA, joint pain treatment, cartilage regeneration, intra-articular injections, non-surgical treatment of KOAAbstract
Introduction:
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common causes of chronic pain and disability worldwide. With an aging population, the number of patients requiring effective, yet safe treatment methods are increasing. In recent years, growing attention has been given to therapies involving hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), both as monotherapies as well as combination therapy.
Aim of the Study:
The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of HA and PRP in the treatment of KOA, as well as to evaluate the therapeutic potential of combined PRP+HA therapy.
Materials and Methods:
A review of current literature was conducted, focusing on the pathophysiology of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), mechanisms of action of hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), as well as clinical trials and meta-analyses comparing the effectiveness and adverse effects of each therapy. The source materials were primarily obtained from reputable scientific databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar.
Results:
PRP demonstrates superiority over HA in terms of long-term pain reduction and improved knee joint function, owing to its regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties. HA, particularly in the form of high molecular weight HA (HMW HA), improves the rheological properties of synovial fluid and reduces joint friction. Combined PRP+HA therapy proved to be more clinically effective than either treatment alone, also showing a lower incidence of adverse effects.
Conclusions:
Combined PRP and HA therapy may represent the most beneficial treatment strategy for KOA, especially in moderate to advanced stages of the disease. However, further well-designed clinical studies with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm its superiority over monotherapy
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Copyright (c) 2025 Jan Noskowicz, Jan Urban, Magdalena Próchnicka, Dominika Nowak, Adam Zarzycki, Michał Siwek, Jakub Hamouta, Patrycja Długosz, Julia Konat, Wiktor Doroszuk
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