15 Patients suffering from grade 2 intrasubstance meniscal degenerations (IMDs) were treated with T-LAB PRP and followed up for a mean period of 32 months (19-39), at the end of the treatment it was concluded that in 67% of the patients, grade 2 degenerations were improved to grade , the Lysholm score was also found to have been statistically significantly increased; while 6 patients improved from Grade 2 to Grade 1, 4 patients achieved a return to normal.
Abstract: Reicher et al. classified meniscal lesions in four grades (0–3) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. Grade 1 lesions are defined as mucoid degenerations without the signs of ruptures. Physical therapy is an accepted treatment approach for this kind of lesion. Grade 3 lesions extend to the articular surface and are considered as meniscal ruptures. The surgical treatment may be an option in these meniscal lesions if conservative treatment fails. However, grade 2 lesions are linear signal changes within the meniscus which does not extend to the joint surface. However, surgical treatment is not a suitable alternative for these lesions that do not reach joint surface. Therefore, there is a need for new treatment methods in IMD.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used in many areas of medicine for its positive effect on tissue healing. In recent years, it has also been used in the treatment of various meniscal injuries. PRP may also be a promising method of treatment for IMD because it can be applied as minimal invasive and demonstrates ability to tissue healing. PRP can be delivered to the lesion within the meniscus when applied through ultrasound guidance. However, the effect of ultrasound-guided PRP injection in IMD is still unclear.
The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficiency of ultrasound-guided PRP injection on radiological and functional outcomes in IMD. Our hypothesis is that PRP will contribute to clinical and radiological improvement in patients with IMD.
