Book review

https://doi.org/10.24141/2/9/1/12

Physiotherapy for Osteoarthritis Following Orthobiological Injections – a Narrative Review of Recent Literature

Ivana Čulo ; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Dalibor Kiseljak orcid.org/0000-0003-2659-5949 ; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Miljenko Franić ; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Alan Ivković orcid.org/0000-0003-0236-6244 ; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The integration of orthobiologic injection modalities
with structured physiotherapy regimens has
emerged as a promising avenue for optimizing recovery
trajectories in patients affected by osteoarthritis
(OA). While these interventions demonstrate
therapeutic potential, the existing research exhibits
substantial variability in patient demographics, injection
methodologies, study duration, and outcome
assessment. Furthermore, despite the recognized
importance of post-injection rehabilitation, comprehensive
documentation of physiotherapy protocols
remains scarce, precluding a definitive understanding
of their complementary effects with orthobiologic
treatments.

This study evaluates and synthesizes the current
evidence on the therapeutic efficacy of orthobiologic
injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and other
cell-based regenerative therapies when implemented
alongside physiotherapeutic interventions in patients
with knee OA. The absence of standardized post-injection
physiotherapy protocols, coupled with inconsistent
methodological frameworks, impedes the formulation
of evidence-based rehabilitation guidelines.
Accordingly, future research must prioritize longitudinal,
well-controlled investigations that delineate the
optimal integration of physiotherapy with orthobiologic
therapies to maximize functional restoration and
long-term symptom management in OA.

A structured literature search was conducted via
PubMed, utilising a strategic combination of Medical
Subject Headings (MeSH) and targeted keywords to ensure thorough retrieval of relevant studies. A total
of sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, all
of which reported favourable outcomes following
orthobiologic injections. Interestingly, only one trial
incorporated a general physiotherapy program, thus
emphasizing the noticeable gap in literature regarding
the integration of orthobiologic injections with
standard rehabilitative strategies.

Keywords

cell therapy, injection, osteoarthritis, physiotherapy, platelet-rich plasma

Hrčak ID:

331011

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/331011

Publication date:

20.5.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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