EFFECTIVE NONSURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF EARLY OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE JOINT IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL — A PROSPECTIVE SINGLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE STUDY.

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex disease of joints presenting with pain, swelling, stiffness, crepitus, deformation and limitation of function. There are both conservative and surgical modes of treatment for OA. This study is done to compare the therapeutic efficacy of intra-articular ozone, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and 25% dextrose in the treatment of OA of the knee joint in early stages. Methods: A total of 120 patients with symptomatic Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2 and 3 of knee OA were studied. They were randomized into three groups and each group received three doses of intra-articular injections of either ozone or PRP or 25% dextrose at intervals of 2 weeks. Patients were advised physiotherapy and analgesics were avoided. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and Visual Analog Score for pain were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes for 6 months. Results: Ozone provided significant relief from pain and improved functionality but was short-lived. PRP and 25% dextrose results were slower initially but gave better results for a longer duration. Conclusion: Conservative treatment with intra-articular injections has promising results in the treatment of OA. This can be used in patients who are not willing or not fit for surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]