Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42590894›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of rheumatic diseases2026

Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hsuan-Wei Liu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of rheumatic diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Hsuan-Wei LiuDepartment of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6866-0410

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionKnee osteoarthritis (OA) causes chronic pain and disability, with limited benefit from conventional treatments. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been proposed as a biologic therapy with potential tissue-repair properties; however, its clinical efficacy remains uncertain.

objectiveTo assess the effectiveness of intra-articular PRP injections in reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee OA. METHODOLOGY: This systematic review and meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials comparing intra-articular PRP with placebo or no treatment. Pain outcomes were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while functional outcomes were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) or Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).

resultsPRP significantly reduced pain and improved function compared with placebo across short-, mid-, and long-term follow-up. The magnitude of benefit varied but remained clinically relevant.

conclusionPRP provides significant improvements in pain relief and functional outcomes compared with placebo or no treatment in patients with knee OA, supporting its potential as a therapeutic option. Standardized protocols and larger RCTs are warranted to further confirm its clinical effectiveness.

Indexed as

ArthralgiaKnee JointOsteoarthritis, KneePlatelet-Rich PlasmaAgedFemaleHumansInjections, Intra-ArticularMaleMiddle AgedPain MeasurementRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRecovery of FunctionTime FactorsTreatment Outcomeintraarticular injectionknee osteoarthritisplatelet‐rich plasma

Identifiers

PMID42590894
PMCPMC13469737

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.