Comparative Clinical Outcomes of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate versus Platelet-Rich Plasma in Early Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Early knee osteoarthritis (OA) is an incremental festering joint condition typified by pain, functional incapacity, and decreasing quality of living. The biological intra-articular approaches like the bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are also in the limelight of being used as a disease-modifying approach. This was a randomized controlled trial that attempted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness, safety and their functionality of BMAC and PRP in individuals with early knee OA during the 24 months follow up. Eighty patients with Kellgren Lawrence grade I2 OA were randomly assigned to the two groups: one was receiving BMAC injection and the other was receiving three PRP injections. The primary outcomes were Visual analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and International Knee documentation Committee (IKDC) scores. MRI cartilage and adverse events were considered as secondary. Since both groups showed statistical changes that were significant compared to baseline. BMAC demonstrated superior performance as far as pain reduction and functional improvement at 12 and 24 months are concerned, which text in agreement with previous comparative studies [1]. PRP was also found to exhibit rapid pain relief in the short term also at three months which is consistent with evidence on growth factor activity [10]. There were no significant negative events identified. The results indicate that although the two treatments are similar in effectiveness in treating early knee OA, BMAC can be more effective in mid-term structural and symptomatic improvements