Application of orthobiological products in the treatment of osteoarthritis of knee joints

Objective: to compare the effectiveness of treatment of patients with osteoarthritis stages II-III using orthobiological products, in particular autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), by intraosseous injection in the area of overload bone marrow edema. Material and methods. The prospective study conducted on the basis of two medical clinics from 2016 to 2019, involved 40 patients with knee OA of II-III using. The patients of the main (BMAC) group underwent a single intraosseous injection of BMAC, whereas the comparison (PRP) group undergoing a single intraosseous PRP injection. The results were assessed after 1, 3, 6, 12 months with VAS, Leken, WOMAC, and verbal rating scale (VRS). Results. After 12 months there was a decrease in the VAS index in the main group to 3.9±0.3 points, in the control group to 4.2±0.1 points, Leken in the main group 5.8±0.7 points, in the control group to 6.1±0,8 points, WOMAC in the main group upto40.6±0.3 points, in the control group upto42.5±0.6 points. The assessment according to the VRS showed that in the control periods of 3 and 6 months. Patients' preferences were given in favor of treatment with autologous BMAC, while after 12 months the differences were not significant. Conclusion. Using orthobiological products for osteoarthritis treatment proved to be effective, with intraosseous BMAC injection proving more efficient compared to PRP injection in terms of pain, knee functionality, physical activity, and patients satisfaction during the entire observation period. Both methods of treatment proved to be safe.