Abstract: Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of intra-articular injection of autologous apheresis platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in the kenn of people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods From January 2022 to June 2023, 60 patients with KOA were randomly divided into two groups of intra-articular HA and PRP. The patients of the two groups were followed up for three months and different outcomes were recorded. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores, McMaster index (WOMAC) and Lysholm scores of knee function evaluated all patients at rest and during movements. Measurements were taken at the beginning, the first month treatmen and the third month of treatment. Results In both groups of patients, at 1 month and 3 months after treatment, the VAS pain score and WOMAC score were lower than the baseline value (P<0.05), while the Lysholm score was higher than the baseline value (P<0.05). The change at three months of treatment was more significant than that at one month of treatment (P<0.05). Moreover, the change in scores in PRP group were more significant than those in HA group (P<0.05). Conclusion In terms of short-term pain relief and functional improvement in patients with KOA, autologous apheresis PRP treatment is superior to HA.

Key words: Knee osteoarthritis, Autologous apheresis platelet-rich plasma, Hyaluronic acid, Functionality scoring