Is platelet-rich plasma able to enhance the results of arthroscopic microfracture in early osteoarthritis and cartilage lesion over 40 years of age?

49 patients with higher grade cartilage lesions (Outerbridge grade III-IV) and mild knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade I-II) were included in this study. Patients were scheduled for arthroscopic microfracture and randomized to the procedure with or without the application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) intraoperatively. Follow-up was conducted for 2 years postoperatively for pain and functional outcomes. Additionally, second-look arthroscopy was performed in a subset of 10 patients from each group between 4-6 months postoperatively. Results at 2 years demonstrated significantly lower pain scores in the PRP patients compared to control patients, as well as a higher rate of IKDC grade A (ie. normal) knee examination. No significant difference in Lysholm score was observed between groups at 2 years.