The efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave combined with platelet rich plasma in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with meniscus injury: A retrospective analysis.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) combined with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with meniscus injury in terms of pain relief, functional outcome and complications.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. Clinical data of 144 patients with KOA accompanied by medial meniscus injury, who received treatment in Jilin Provincial People's Hospital from March 2021 to December 2022, were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 128 patients (81 males and 47 females) were finally included in the study after screening. Of them, 45 patients received PRP treatment (PRP-group), 43 patients received ESW treatment (ESW-group), and 40 patients received ESW combined with PRP treatment (Combined-group). The relief of knee joint pain and functional improvement among three groups of patients were compared.

Results: After treatment, visual analogue scale (VAS), Lequesne, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores of patients in the Combined-group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (<0.05). Combined ESW-PRP treatment was associated with significantly greater joint range of motion of patients compared to ESW and PRP alone (<0.05). The total incidence of related complications in the Combined-group was lower compared to the other two groups (<0.05).

Conclusions: Compared with PRP or ESW treatment alone, ESW combined with PRP for KOA with meniscus injury can better alleviate pain, achieve faster functional recovery, and significantly reduce complications.