To evaluate the effect of combining photo-activation therapy with platelet-rich plasma injections for the novel treatment of osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of combining photo-activation therapy with platelet-rich plasma injections for the novel treatment of osteoarthritis. DESIGN: We present a case report of osteoarthritis of the knee treated with photo-activated platelet-rich plasma injections (PAPRP). METHODS: After utilising conventional osteoarthritis treatment methods a patient underwent a course of PAPRP injections. The patient outcome was measured using the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis (WOMAC) Index. RESULTS: Following treatment the patient reported improvements in both pain and function as measured by the NPRS and WOMAC Index, respectively. The patient was followed up for 18 weeks, at which time no significant complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: In this case report of osteoarthritis, with strict control of conventional therapy variables, PAPRP injections demonstrated improvement in all recorded outcome measures. The results of this case report highlight the need to further investigate the use of PAPRP in the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.