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Total knee replacement (TKA) is a frequent modality performed in patients with osteoarthritis. Specific circumstances can make it much more difficult to execute successfully, and additional procedures such as osteotomy may be required. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis and systematic review of osteotomies combined with TKA. Methods: In June 2022, a search PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Clinicaltrials was undertaken, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The search included the terms “osteotomy” and “total knee arthroplasty”. Results: Two subgroups (tibial tubercle osteotomy and medial femoral condyle osteotomy) were included in the meta-analysis. Further subgroups were described as a narrative review. The primary outcome showed no significant difference in favor to TTO. Secondary outcomes showed improved results in all presented subgroups compared to preoperative status. Conclusion: This study showed a significant deficit of randomized control trials treated with osteotomies, in addition to TKA, and a lack of evidence-based surgical guidelines for the treatment of patients with OA in special conditions: posttraumatic deformities, stiff knee, severe varus, and valgus axis or patella disorders.

In recent years, the interest in biological treatment of knee lesions has increased, especially the application of platelet-rich plasma is of particular note. The number of articles evaluating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) efficacy in the recovery of knee disorders and during knee surgery has exponentially increased over the last decade. A systematic review with meta-analyses was performed by assessing selected studies of local PRP injections to the knee joint. The study was completed in accordance with 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A multistep search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Clinicaltrials.gov was performed to identify studies on knee surgery and knee lesion treatment with PRP. Of the 4004 articles initially identified, 357 articles focusing on knee lesions were selected and, consequently, only 83 clinical trials were analyzed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool to evaluate risk. In total, seven areas of meta-analysis reported a positive effect of PRP. Among them, 10 sub-analyses demonstrated significant differences in favor of PRP when compared to the control groups (p < 0.05). This study showed the positive effects of PRP, both on the recovery of knee disorders and during knee surgery; however further prospective and randomized studies with a higher number of subjects and with lower biases are needed.

Platelets are an essential component of hemostasis, with an increasing role in host inflammatory processes in injured tissues. The reaction between receptors and vascular endothelial cells results in the recruitment of platelets in the immune response pathway. The aim of the present review is to describe the role of platelets in osteoarthritis. Platelets induce secretion of biological substances, many of which are key players in the inflammatory response in osteoarthritis. Molecules involved in cartilage degeneration, or being markers of inflammation in osteoarthritis, are cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukins (IL), type II collagen, aggrecan, and metalloproteinases. Surprisingly, platelets may also be used as a treatment modality for osteoarthritis. Multiple randomized controlled trials included in our systematic review and meta-analyses prove the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a minimally invasive method of pain alleviation in osteoarthritis treatment.