Abstract: Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of autologous apheresis platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with lateral retinacular release (LRR) for the treatment of lateral patellar compression syndrome (LPCS). Methods A total of 15 patients (22 knees) with LPCS who met the inclusion criteria from August 2018 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group underwent arthroscopic LRR surgery, followed by intra-articular injection of autologous PRP (5 mL injection per knee, once every 7 days, 3 times as a course). The control group only underwent arthroscopic LRR surgery. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Kujala score were used to compare the therapeutic effects. The therapeutic effect of the experimental group was further evaluated by MRI imaging. Results The follow-up time was 12~13 (12.4±0.5) months. VAS score before and after operation was 5.64±0.54 and 1.46 ±0.28 in the experimental group, respectively, 5.46±0.37 and 2.55±0.28 in the control group. Kujala score increased from 61.09±4.40 to 90.73±1.94 in the experimental group. Kujala score increased from 66.82±3.84 to 82.82±2.53 in the control group. Postoperative knee pain symptoms and patellofemoral joint function scores of both groups were significantly improved compared with those before surgery (P<0.000 1), and VAS score and Kujala score in the experimental group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). MRI follow-up showed that the volume of bone marrow edema of the patella and external condyle in the experimental group reduced after treatment. Conclusion Intra-articular injection of autologous apheresis PRP combined with LRR is an effective method for the treatment of LPCS.

Key words: Lateral patellar compression, Lateral retinacular release, Apheresis, Platelet-rich plasma