Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain due to Post–COVID-19 Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Musculoskeletal effects like joint and muscle pain appear as long-term symptoms of COVID-19 published in the COVID-19 Research Project Tracker database.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in patients with chronic musculoskeletal knee pain due to post–COVID-19 syndrome.

Methods: An experimental study was conducted from January 2022 to April 2023. The universe consisted of 127 patients who met the inclusion criteria. A simple random sample of 100 patients was selected. Two groups of 50 patients each were made up: an experimental group, treated with platelet-rich plasma; and control group, receiving the conventional treatment.

Results: The groups showed equal characteristics with respect to sex and age. Regardless of the used treatment, no changes were observed in the groups during the first month (p = 0.110). At three months, in the experimental group, only 4 patients continued with pain, compared to 23 patients in the control group, a result with a statistical significance of p = 0.000. The recovery of the functional capacity of the knee at six months comprised almost the totality of the experimental group (46.0%), with a statistical significance of p = 0.000. At one year, 12 patients were observed not to have functional recovery.

Conclusions: Platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal knee pain due to post-COVID-19 syndrome relieved pain, improved functional capacity and was more effective than conventional treatment.

Keywords: platelet-rich plasma; regenerative medicine; musculoskeletal pain; arthralgia; chronic pain; COVID-19 postacute syndrome.