Evaluation of the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma in treatment of chronic pes anserinus pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Enthesopathy-associated pain does not only occur in athletes but also in persons of average daily activity levels. Repetitive microtrauma within the pes anserinus may lead to chronic inflammation and later result in development of degenerative changes in this region. It is commonly believed that this condition is caused by chronic bursitis of the pes anserinus. However, imaging studies have confirmed that as the underlying cause of complaints only in a small percentage of cases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2011 and 2012, a total of 33 patients with chronic pain in the pes anserinus were treated with platelet rich plasma at the Department of Orthopaedics, Military Institute of Medicine. All patients received 10 mL of autologous platelet rich plasma into the painful region. The effectiveness of platelet rich plasma was evaluated by comparing pre-treatment results and those obtained at 3 and 6 months following the therapy. Pain intensity was evaluated before and after treatment using a VAS scale and the modified Likert scale.

RESULTS: A total of 28 patients (84.8% of the study participants) demon strated total or near-total pain relief within 6 months following treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Pes anserinus pain syndrome is a relatively com mon condition in overweight and obese women over 50 years of age. 2. Our study demonstrated that a greater intensity of degenerative changes of the knee joint was ac companied by more severe pain in the pes anserinus area. 3. Platelet rich plasma is an effective treatment for pes anserinus pain. It produces pain relief and thus significantly improves the quality of life. 4. The response to platelet-derived growth factors was poorer in advanced degenerative knee joint disease. 5. Our treatment is safe; plasma administered to patients was obtained from their own peripheral blood and did not constitute a source of infection with viral hepatitis or HIV.