OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel in total knee arthroplasty.

METHODSFrom January 2011 to January 2013, 30 patients of total knee arthroplasty were received PRP (PRP group) and 30 patients won't received PRP(normal saline group).Routine drainage and functional exercise were applied to the two groups after operation. Postoperative drainage volume, inflammatory reaction, grade of wound healed, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Score for knee, the Feller Score for patella and range of motion (ROM) for knee were evaluated.Independent samples t-test, grade data used rank sum test were used to compared two groups.

RESULTSPostoperative drainage volume was (152 ± 22) ml in PRP group and (432 ± 35) ml in normal saline group. Postoperative drainage volume were statistically significant difference between two groups (t = 37.098, P < 0.05). At 4 days after operation, no inflammatory reaction was observed in 27 cases of PRP group and in 24 cases of normal saline group, mid inflammatory reaction in 2 cases of PRP group and in 4 cases of normal saline group, moderate inflammatory reaction in 1 cases of PRP group and in 2 cases of normal saline group.Wound healed by first intention in 30 patients of PRP group and in 29 patients of normal saline group (29/30), by second intention after 3 days of dressing change in 1 patient of normal saline group using 75% alcohol wet compressed. The adverse reaction rate was 3.3%. The average follow-up period was 16 months, ranging from 10 to 24 months. Three months postoperative HSS score for knee, scores of patellar, scores of anterior knee pain and ROM for knee were statistically significant difference in PRP group and normal saline group (t = 2.288, 2.097, 2.630, 2.104; all P < 0.05). Inflammatory reaction, grade of wound healed, final follow-up HSS score for knee, scores of patellar, scores of anterior knee pain and ROM for knee had no statistically significant difference between PRP group and normal saline group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUsing PRP gel in total knee arthroplasty can reduce postoperative drainage volume, accelerate the healing of operation incision with no extra complications.It has good short-term clinical effect.