Functional Hip Strength Improvement in Knee Osteoarthritis Following Single-Dose PRP and a 6-Week Home Exercise Program

Firat University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)

Treatments: Biological: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection; Behavioral: Home Exercise Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07307118

FU_MGBeydagi_PRP_B_2025/12/150

Details and patient eligibility

About

This single-group longitudinal study evaluated changes in hip stability isometric strength, knee muscle strength, and activity-related pain in women with knee osteoarthritis following a single-dose intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and a 6-week home exercise program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (5 days post-injection), week 6, and week 12. The intervention included strengthening exercises for knee and hip muscle groups performed three times per week and regular walking encouragement with weekly phone follow-up for adherence.

Full description

Participants with unilateral symptomatic knee osteoarthritis performed a standardized 6-week home strengthening program (knee extensors/flexors; hip extensors/abductors/external rotators) three times weekly and were encouraged to walk regularly. Hip Stability Isometric Test (HipSIT), quadriceps/hamstring strength (hand-held dynamometry, normalized to body mass), and activity pain (VAS 0-10) were measured at baseline, week 6, and week 12 to evaluate functional strength and symptom changes after PRP plus exercise.

Enrollment: 27 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 45 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Female patients aged 45-70 years.
• Radiographic knee osteoarthritis: Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III in the affected knee and grade II or less in the unaffected knee.
• Unilateral knee pain during activity with VAS score ≥5 (for at least the past 3 months).
• Referred to physiotherapy following a unilateral single-dose PRP injection.

Exclusion criteria

• Any intra-articular knee injection within the past 6 months.
• Regular lower-extremity strengthening exercise or non-pharmacological treatment for knee OA within the past 6 weeks.
• History of lower-extremity surgery.
• History of neurological, rheumatological and/or cognitive diseases.
• Unable to use a telephone.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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27 participants in 1 patient group

Single Group: PRP Injection + Home Exercise Program

Experimental group

Description:

All participants received a unilateral single-dose intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, followed by a 6-week home-based strengthening and functional exercise program performed 3 times per week. The exercise program targeted knee extensors/flexors and hip extensors/abductors/external rotators. Participants were encouraged to walk at least 30 minutes on at least 5 days per week and were contacted weekly by phone to support adherence.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Home Exercise Program

Biological: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection