Abstract
Objectives:
Post-traumatic osteoarthritis occurs at an alarming rate after ACL injury and surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two, pre-operative PRP injections upon the progression of inflammatory and chondrodegenerative biomarkers to the natural progression before ACL reconstruction surgery. Our hypothesis was that pre-operative PRP injections would decrease the chondrotoxicity of the presurgery knee fluid.
Methods:
Participants were randomized to either a control or intervention group. Both groups received joint aspirations within the first 10 days following ACL injury (Time 1). In addition to joint aspiration at Time 1, the PRP group received a PRP injection at Time 1 and an additional PRP injection at a second visit 5-12 days after the initial visit. Synovial fluid samples were harvested in both groups at the time of ACL reconstruction (Time 2). ELISA was performed on all samples to detect cytokine levels of IL-1B, IL-10, IL-6, GM-CSF, IL-5, IFN-γ, TNF-⍺, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-8
Results:
A total 24 participants were enrolled, final analysis was completed on 8 participants in the control group and 9 participants in the intervention group. The control group demonstrated a change in concentration (Δ1à2) between time 1 and time 2 that was not statistically significant for any cytokines p>0.05, except for a statistically significant decrease in IL-8 (p=0.005). The intervention group demonstrated a decrease in all cytokine concentrations that was statistically significant for all cytokines p<0.05, except for IL-8 (p=0.074). When comparing the control group to the intervention group at time 1, no significant difference was seen between cytokine concentrations (p>0.05). Likewise, comparing the control group to the intervention group at time 2, no significant difference was seen between cytokine concentrations (p>0.05). The magnitude of decrease was larger in the intervention group than the control group, but with comparison of means between groups there was not a statistically significant difference. The natural history for these biomarkers is a decrease but at a variable rate/amount. Preoperative intervention with PRP has the potential to consistently alter the concentration of chondrodestructive proteins.
Conclusions:
Intervention with aspiration and 2 injection series of PRP in the acute ACL injured knee resulted in greater reduction in effusion inflammatory markers than control. This may suggest a treatment modality to improve perioperative pain, function and possibly alter the course of post trauma arthritis in these patients, without the deleterious effect of steroid injection. Long term study and follow up is required to determine if intervention alters the natural history of post traumatic arthritis.
