PRP injections versus hyaluronic acid for advanced knee osteoarthritis
Efficacy of Therapy With Intra-articular Injections of PRP Compared With Therapy With Intra-articular Injections of HA, in Patients With Grade III or IV GONArthrosis: a Prospective Randomized Open-label Study
This project will test whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections or hyaluronic acid (HA) injections better reduce pain and improve function for people with moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Toulon La Seyne sur Mer Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Toulon, Var) |
| Trial ID | NCT07016672 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will run a randomized, open-label study comparing intra-articular PRP injections to hyaluronic acid (HA) injections in patients with MRI-confirmed grade III-IV knee osteoarthritis at Hôpital Sainte Musse in Toulon. Participants will be followed for 12 months after their last injection and outcomes will include pain (VAS), function (WOMAC), and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L). The trial uses standard-of-care injection procedures and validated questionnaires to measure changes over time. The aim is to determine which injection better reduces the functional impact of advanced gonarthrosis.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (≥18 years) with MRI-confirmed unilateral grade III or IV knee osteoarthritis, pain ≥3/10, BMI <35, able to give informed consent, and covered by social security.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage OA, recent intra-articular PRP/HA/corticosteroid injections, uncontrolled medical conditions (including recent cancer), pregnancy or breastfeeding, anticoagulation that cannot be paused, or those under legal guardianship may not be eligible or likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the better-performing injection could reduce pain, improve daily function, and potentially delay the need for knee replacement surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials comparing PRP and HA have shown mixed results, with some reporting PRP offers greater short- to mid-term improvements in pain and function but evidence is inconsistent and less clear for advanced (grade III-IV) disease.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥ 18 years ; 2. MRI confirmed grade III or IV unilateral gonarthrosis ; 3. Pain ≥ 3/10 on the visual analogue scale (VAS); 4. Patient with a BMI \< 35 5. Patient capable of giving consent prior to participation in the study; 6. Affiliated or entitled under a social security scheme. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids taken in the 7 days prior to inclusion; 2. Local injection of hyaluronic acid in the 2 months prior to inclusion; 3. Local injection of PRP within 1 year prior to inclusion; 4. Local injection of corticosteroids within 5 months prior to inclusion; 5. Current anticoagulant treatment that cannot be stopped for the duration of the study; 6. Patient diagnosed with any type of cancer in the last 3 years; 7. Pregnant women, women in labour or breast-feeding women; 8. Patients under judicial protection (guardianship, curatorship, etc.) or safeguard of justice; 9. Any other reason which, in the opinion of the investigator, could interfere with the evaluation of the study objectives.
Where this trial is running
Toulon, Var
- Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Toulon- La Seyne sur Mer - Hôpital Sainte Musse — Toulon, Var, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Sophie Lafond
- Email: sophie.lafond@ch-toulon.fr
- Phone: 0483772062
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.