To investigate the preliminary clinical efficacy of arthroscopic microfracture combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

From January 2020 to January 2022, 70 patients with knee osteoarthritis admitted to the orthopedics department of Zhongshan Torch Development Zone People’s Hospital were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group using a double-blind method, 35 cases in each group. The control group underwent arthroscopic microfracture treatment, while the experimental group received PRP gel treatment in addition to the same procedure. The incidence of complications, as well as changes in pain and range of motion of the affected knee at three, six and 12 months after surgery, were compared between the two groups using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC). MRI changes of the affected knee at three, six and 12 months after surgery were also compared. Continuous data were analyzed using t test or mixed-effect model, and categorical data were analyzed by chi square test.

At 12 months after treatment, the total effective rate in the experimental group was 94%, which was significantly higher than that (83%) of the control group, with a statistically significant difference (χ²=4.12, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the experimental group and the control group at three months after treatment (P>0.05). VAS scores in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group at six and 12 months after treatment (six months: t=2.163, P=0.038; 12 months: t=5.632, P<0.001). WOMAC functional scores of the knee in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group at three, six and 12 months after treatment (three months: t=3.463, P=0.001; six months: t=3.417, P=0.002; 12 months: t=4.343, P<0.001). Furthermore, at the 12-month follow-up after treatment, MRI showed varying degrees of improvement in the range of knee cartilage defects in both groups.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis, arthroscopic microfracture combined with PRP treatment can significantly alleviate pain, improve knee joint function, and promote favorable postoperative recovery. This approach is worthy of clinical application and promotion.