Mustafa Karakaplan1, Deniz Gülabi2, Haldun Topgül3, Nurzat Elmalı4

1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty of İnönü University, Malatya, Turkey
2Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
3Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Harput State Hospital, Elazığ, Turkey
4Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty of Bezmialem Foundation University, İstanbul, Turkey

Keywords: Bone marrow; core decompression; osteonecrosis; platelet-rich plasma.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on femoral head osteonecrosis and compare it with bone marrow injection and core decompression. Materials and methods: A total of 30 healthy, adult, male New Zealand white rabbits (mean weight 2.25±0.15 kg; range 2.0 to 2.5 kg) were used in the study. To create experimental osteonecrosis in all rabbits, 40 mg/kg methylprednisolone acetate was applied intramuscularly. Rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups with 10 rabbits in each: drilling group, PRP group, and bone marrow group. The non-drilled hips of the drilling group were identified as the control group.
Results: Rate of necrotic bone was lower in the PRP group compared to other groups. Highest rate of necrotic bone was detected in the control group. New bone formation rate was higher in the PRP group compared to other groups. Lowest new bone formation rate was determined in the control group. Inflammatory reaction rate was higher in the PRP group compared to other groups.
Conclusion: Platelet-rich plasma injection may play a positive role in the treatment of steroid-associated osteonecrosis in a rabbit model.