Platelet rich plasma compared to tens for treatment of painful knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis

Objectives: Determine the effects of platelet rich plasma on the intensity of self-reported knee pain, stiffness and physical function in adults with knee osteoarthritis compared to transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. Methods: Studies analyzing platelet rich plasma or transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation were investigated. These studies contained similar participants, outcome measures, and follow-up periods. Studies were analyzed to determine the treatment effect and homogeneity among studies. Results: There is no statistically significant difference between the 2 treatments analyzed, however the results of the meta-analysis favor platelet rich plasma with a very large grand effect size. Conclusion: Platelet rich plasma and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation are both safe and efficacious treatments, however platelet rich plasma may offer superior benefits with less overall treatment time. Continued research regarding platelet rich plasma injections is needed to further understand knee osteoarthritis etiology, classification, and management. Study Design: A meta-analysis of clinical studies examining the effects of platelet rich plasma versus transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation on pain, stiffness and function in adults with knee osteoarthritis.