No positive effect of autologous platelet gel after total knee arthroplasty

Joost C. Peerbooms, Gideon S. de Wolf, Joost W. Colaris, Daniël J. Bruijn, Jan A. N. Verhaar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Activated platelets release a cocktail of growth factors, some of which are thought to stimulate repair. We investigated whether the use of autologous platelet gel (PG) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) would improve wound healing and knee function, and reduce blood loss and the use of analgesics. 102 patients undergoing TKA were randomly assigned to a PG group (n = 50) or to a control (C) group (n = 52). The primary analysis was based on 73 participants (PG: 32; C: 41) with comparison of postoperative wound scores, VAS, WOMAC, knee function, use of analgesics, and the pre- and postoperative hemoglobin values after a follow-up of 3 months. 29 participants were excluded due to insufficient data. The characteristics of the protocol-compliant patients were similar to those of the patients who were excluded. Analysis was per protocol and focused on the remaining 73 patients. At baseline and after 3 months of follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding age, height, weight, sex, side of operation, platelet count, hemoglobin values, severity of complaints (WOMAC), and level of pain. In our patients undergoing TKA, application of PG to the wound site did not promote wound healing. Also, we found that PG had no effect on pain, knee function, or hemoglobin values
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)557-562
JournalActa Orthopaedica
Volume80
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Cite this