Exploring the Effectiveness of Combined High Frequency Intensive Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma Injection and Genicular Nerve Blocks in Treating Patients With Moderate to Severe Degrees of Knee Osteoarthritis

Fecha de inicio: 1 de agosto de 2019

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients suffered from chronic unilateral knee pain for more than 4 months and with roentgenogram degenerative findings of grades 3 and 4 on the Kellgren-Lawrence Classification of Osteoarthritis scale (meaning moderate to severe degrees of knee OA) will be recruited. 2. The volume of the SF in the supra-patellar bursa region is enough (at least 2 mm thickness in bursa fluid as measured by ultrasound) to be aspirated via ultrasound guidance. 3. Small volume of SF will be aspirated first and sent for SF analysis. SF showing evidences of crystals suggesting possible gouty arthritis and infection will not be included in this study. 4. Patient has previously received oral NSAIDs and physical modality treatments but WITHOUT any obvious improvements in knee pain and function. The usage of musculoskeletal ultrasound to confirm that the supra-patellar bursa is in communication with the synovial cavity of the knee joint. This is to prevent the aspiration of isolated cystic lesion at the supra-patellar region. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Total obliteration of knee joint as shown on the roentgenogram images. Patient has systemic disorders such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, major axial deviation of the knee joint (varus \>5°, valgus \>5°), hematological diseases (coagulopathy), severe cardiovascular diseases, infections, and immune-depression. 2. Patients in therapy with anticoagulants, and taking NSAIDs within the 5 days before blood harvest 3. Patients with hemoglobin value of less than 11 g/dl, and platelet counts of less than 150,000/mm3.