Comparison between Platelet-Rich Plasma and Autologous Iliac Grafts for Tibial Osteotomy

OBJECTIVE Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has the capacity to improve the bone-healing process. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the occurrence of bone healing and the time taken to achieve this in patients submitted to medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO), comparing platelet-rich plasma with bone marrow aspirate to autologous iliac graft. DESIGN Twenty-five patients who underwent tibial osteotomy were randomly divided into 2 groups: a control group, which received autologous iliac grafts (14 patients), and a study group, which received a compound of PRP and bone marrow aspirate (11 patients). RESULTS The bone-healing rates achieved were 100% in the control group and 91% in the study group. There was no difference in the time taken to achieve bone healing between the groups. CONCLUSIONS The use of a combination of PRP and bone marrow aspirate, as a bone substitute, did not demonstrate any advantage over the use of an autologous iliac graft in MOWHTO.