The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons does not currently recommend biologic treatments for advanced hip or knee arthritis, according to a new position statement.
Three things to know:
1. According to the report, while some evidence suggests platelet rich plasma may temporarily improve mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis symptoms, little data suggests PRP will help advanced osteoarthritis patients.
2. For advanced hip and knee arthritis patients, biologic therapies such as PRP or stem cells have unproven benefits, high out-of-pocket costs and safety concerns, AAHKS claims. While AAHKS recognizes the potential benefit of biologic treatments, "[they] encourage rigorous, well-designed clinical trials to establish the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of these potential treatments prior to widespread adoption."
3. AAHKS cautions that it is unknown whether biologic therapies are more cost-effective than standard nonsurgical treatments, such as acetaminophen, oral anti-inflammatory agents or corticosteroid injections.