Objective Comparison between Platelet Rich Plasma Alone and in Combination with Physical Therapy in Dogs with Osteoarthritis Caused by Hip Dysplasia

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Finding successful treatments against osteoarthritis without secondary effects and objectively assessing their effectiveness in dogs is always challenging. In this sense, the aim of this study was to objectively assess the efficacy of platelet rich plasma alone and in combination with physical therapy by using a force platform in dogs with hip osteoarthritis. Dogs receiving only the platelet rich plasma treatment showed a significant improvement in limb function, although the effect decreased after 180 days; in contrast, the combined therapy maintained the maximum level of efficacy throughout the study period. Our study proved that physical therapy does not increase the level of efficacy of platelet rich plasma therapy but objectively contributes to prolonging its effect for more than this time period. ABSTRACT: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most significant joint diseases worldwide. There are different therapies for OA treatment, and a relatively new strategy is the use of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), a platelet rich plasma (PRP) derivative. The objective of this study was to objectively assess the efficacy and duration of the effect of an intraarticular injection of PRGF and a combination of PRGF + physical therapy. The objective assessment was provided using a force platform. The obtained parameters were peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI). A total of 24 dogs with lameness and pain associated to OA attributable to bilateral hip dysplasia were included in the study. Animals were divided into two study groups and evaluated at baseline and at 30, 90, and 180 days after intraarticular PRGF or PRGF + physical therapy. Significant differences were observed at every checkpoint with respect to basal time in both groups. However, after 180 days, the PRGF group showed a decrease in PVF and VI with respect to the values obtained at 90 days. However, the PRGF + physical therapy group maintained increased values of both PVF and VI values during the 180-day study period.