The combined application of pulsed electromagnetic fields and platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of early-stage knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial

The combined application of pulsed electromagnetic fields and platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of early-stage knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial

Key Findings

This study investigated the effectiveness of combining pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in treating early-stage knee osteoarthritis. The combined therapy was found to significantly reduce pain and improve joint function compared to single treatments.

Treatment Groups

The study included 48 patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis, divided into three groups: the PRP group, the PEMFs group, and the PRP + PEMFs group. Each group received different treatment protocols.

Results

Patients in all three groups showed gradual improvement in pain scores and joint mobility over the 12-week treatment period. The PRP + PEMFs group demonstrated significantly better outcomes compared to the other groups at weeks 4, 8, and 12 post-treatment.

Conclusion

PRP, PEMFs, and the combination of PRP and PEMFs were all effective in reducing knee joint pain and improving function. However, the combined therapy of PRP and PEMFs showed the most pronounced efficacy compared to single treatments.