A Review of the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis and the Use of Intra-articular Platelet Therapy for Joint Disease in Animals and Humans

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disease in humans and domestic animals. It causes significant clinical problems and substantial health care costs. In the absence of disease-modifying medical intervention, therapy is currently restricted to palliative measures prior to surgical intervention. We review the pathogenesis, as well as conservative and emerging restorative therapeutic approaches, including cytokines, stem cells, and platelets. The various methods of platelet concentrate preparations and their reported outcomes are discussed. Data collected from the use of intra-articular platelet therapy (IAPT) in dogs are reviewed, which suggest that this approach may delay or in some cases even obviate the need for surgical intervention.