Patrizia Finocchiaro

Dr. Patrizia Finocchiaro

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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Journal Article
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Rita ChiaramonteRita Chiaramonte
Rita Chiaramonte
SCSalvatore Caramma
Salvatore Caramma
EBEnrico Buccheri
Enrico Buccheri
PFPatrizia Finocchiaro
Patrizia Finocchiaro
Umile Giuseppe LongoUmile Giuseppe Longo
Umile Giuseppe Longo
Michele VecchioMichele Vecchio
Michele Vecchio
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent condition among adults that leads to knee joint pain and dysfunction. Over the past two decades, local intra-articular knee injection therapy has gained popularity due to the advent of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid (HA), and the novel peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMNCs). This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of intra-articular injections of PBMNCs, HA, and PRP combined with hyaluronic acid (PRP-HA) for treating degenerative knee OA classified as stages II and III, according to the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) scale. Methods: This retrospective observational study involved adults with moderate-to-moderately severe knee OA treated at the University Hospital of Catania, Italy. The subjects were divided into three groups and treated with intra-articular injections of HA, PRP-HA, or PBMNCs. The outcome measures assessed were as follows: the Numerical Rating Scale, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, the Timed Up and Go, the International Knee Documentation Committee score, a 10-meter walking test, and the Physical score and the Mental score on the SF-12. This study included a total of 46 adults, 30 females and 16 males, with a mean age of 63.7 ± 10.9 years. Results: HA, PRP-HA, and PBMNCs demonstrated comparable effectiveness for improving the NRS score and all the other outcomes at 6 months. Additionally, PRP-HA and PBMNCs also enhanced knee flexion and the International Knee Documentation Committee score. However, none of the three treatments led to a significant improvement on the 10-meter walking test. No serious adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: In this study, injections of HA, PRP-HA, and PBMNCs all demonstrated positive outcomes for up to 6 months post-treatment in the subjects suffering from knee OA.