Investigation of the effects of physiotherapy on pain, physical function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis received PRP

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of physiotherapy on pain, physical function and quality of life in female patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who received PRP injection. Twenty-eight female patients aged 46-65 years, who were received PRP injection due to knee OA were randomly divided into 2 groups as PRP + Physiotherapy group ( n=14; mean age: 55,00 ± 4,81 years) and PRP (control) group ( n=14; mean age: 55,35 ± 6,19 years) by block randomization method. Manual relaxation applications to the stretched structures around the knee, patellar mobilization and an individual exercise program accompanied by a physiotherapist were applied to the patients in the PRP+Physiotherapy group 2 days a week for 6 weeks. No additional treatment was given to the patients in the control group. All patients were evaluated at the beginning (3 days after PRP injection) and at the end of the 6th week. The pain severity during the activity, rest and sleep with Visual Analog Scale (VAS); physical functions with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC); the functional performance with Timed-up and go test (TUG) and stair climb and down tests; consentric muscle strength with Biodex System 3® (Biodex Corp, Shirley, NY) and the health-related quality of life with SF-36 short form were assesed. Physical activity levels of the patients were questioned using the short version of the International Physical Activity Form (IPAQ-SF). As a result of the study, significant improvements were found in all parameters examined at the end of 6 weeks in the PRP + Physiotherapy group, while improvement in the parameters of SKY test and quality of life, energy / fatigue and health change in the control group (p <0.05). In the comparison between the groups, a significant difference was found in favor of the PRP + physiotherapy group in terms of pain severity in activity, muscles strength, physical function scores, times of step descend and ascent tests, quality of life total score and physical activity levels (p <0.05). With this study, positive effects of physiotherapy on pain, muscle strength, physical function, functional performance, quality of life and physical activity level were demonstrated in patients with knee OA after PRP injection. In order to increase the success of the treatment, it is of great importance that patients with knee OA who received PRP injection are referred to a physiotherapist and included in a structured individual exercise program.