Knee osteoarthritis is a common and often debilitating condition that affects millions of people. It can cause pain, joint instability, and limit mobility, making everyday tasks difficult. Traditional treatments for knee arthritis include physical therapy, medications like NSAIDs, and sometimes even surgery. Regenerative therapies like Platelet Rich Plasma can provide significant improvement in pain, stiffness, and overall function, and may delay the need for surgery.  PRP for knee arthritis may be a good choice if you are struggling with pain and limited activity.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what PRP therapy is, how it works, its benefits, and potential risks, as well as how it compares to other treatments for knee osteoarthritis.

• What is Platelet Rich Plasma?
• What Are the Benefits of PRP in Knee Arthritis?
• How Does PRP compare to other treatments for Knee Arthritis?
• What to Expect with PRP Treatments
• Risks and Limitations of PRP Treatment
• Is RPR Right for You?

If you’re dealing with chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis and traditional treatments haven’t provided lasting relief, there’s hope. PRP therapy offers an innovative, non-surgical option to reduce pain, improve mobility, and delay surgery. This treatment is ideal for those with early to moderate knee osteoarthritis, as it harnesses the body’s natural healing abilities. If you’re ready to explore a solution that could restore your joint function and help you return to the activities you love, keep reading to find out if PRP is the right choice for you.

One of the exciting potential benefits of PRP therapy is its ability to protect the knee’s cartilage. Research suggests that PRP may not only alleviate pain and improve mobility but also play a role in slowing down the degeneration of knee cartilage. This cartilage-preserving effect is significant because the progressive breakdown of cartilage is a hallmark of osteoarthritis and a key factor leading to the need for knee replacement surgery. By protecting the existing cartilage and promoting tissue regeneration, PRP therapy may help delay the need for surgical intervention, offering patients a non-invasive alternative to surgery.

PRP injections offer both immediate and long-term benefits by reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and supporting the body’s natural repair processes. This may also slow the progression of osteoarthritis. PRP is an appealing option for those who want to preserve knee function, delay or avoid surgery, and maintain an active lifestyle.

Pain Reduction: Numerous studies show that PRP injections significantly reduce knee pain. A 2022 study found less pain and stiffness after six months, and a 2020 review showed PRP was more effective than treatments like steroids or hyaluronic acid (HA).

Improved Mobility and Function: PRP not only relieves pain but also helps restore movement, allowing patients to perform daily activities more easily. It’s an attractive choice for those who want to stay active without surgery.

Delay of Surgery: Research suggests PRP may delay the need for knee replacement surgery, especially for younger patients or those in the early stages of osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis can be managed through several treatments, each with benefits and limitations. Here’s how PRP therapy compares to other common options like oral medications, steroid injections, hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, physical therapy, and knee replacement surgery.

Oral Medications
Oral medications, such as NSAIDs and analgesics, are often the first line of treatment for knee osteoarthritis. These drugs reduce inflammation and relieve pain, but they don’t address cartilage damage or slow disease progression. Long-term use can cause side effects like gastrointestinal issues, kidney problems, and cardiovascular risks. While effective for short-term relief, patient satisfaction declines over time due to side effects and the need for higher doses. Success rates are moderate, but as arthritis worsens, additional treatments are often needed.

Steroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections provide quick relief from knee pain and inflammation, especially during arthritis flare-ups. However, the effects are temporary, lasting a few weeks to a few months. Repeated injections can harm joint tissues and accelerate cartilage damage. While patients are usually satisfied with the immediate pain relief, the long-term benefits are limited, often requiring more permanent solutions as symptoms return. Success rates are initially high, but they decrease with repeated use.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections
HA injections, or viscosupplementation, improve joint lubrication to reduce pain and enhance function. HA naturally exists in joint fluid but decreases with osteoarthritis. HA injections are generally well-tolerated, but their effectiveness varies. Studies show HA offers moderate pain relief for several months but is often less effective than PRP, especially in advanced osteoarthritis. Patient satisfaction is mixed, with some seeing significant improvements and others minimal relief. The success rate is moderate, with HA working better in early-stage osteoarthritis.

Physical Therapy
Physical therapy strengthens muscles around the knee, improves flexibility, and reduces joint strain. It’s often recommended as a first-line treatment, either alone or with other therapies. Physical therapy can significantly improve mobility and function but may not fully relieve pain, especially in advanced cases. Success largely depends on patient compliance and the severity of osteoarthritis. Patient satisfaction is generally high, as it empowers individuals to manage symptoms without medication or injections, but it’s usually most effective as part of a broader treatment plan.

Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery is typically the final option for severe osteoarthritis that doesn’t respond to other treatments. It involves replacing the damaged knee joint with an artificial one. The success rate is high, with most patients experiencing significant pain relief and improved quality of life. Over 90% of patients report satisfaction a year after surgery. However, it’s an invasive procedure with a long recovery time and risks such as infection and complications. Knee replacements can also wear out, especially in younger or more active patients, sometimes requiring revision surgery later on.

PRP offers a middle-ground option between conservative treatments like medications or physical therapy and invasive procedures like surgery. PRP stands out by addressing the underlying cause of osteoarthritis through tissue healing rather than just symptom management. Unlike steroids or HA injections, which provide temporary relief, PRP may offer longer-lasting benefits by promoting cartilage repair, making it a promising option for those looking to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery.

The PRP injection process is relatively quick and straightforward. It typically involves three main steps:

1. A doctor will draw a small amount of blood from your arm.
2. The blood is processed in a centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
3. The PRP is injected directly into the knee joint, similar to a cortisone or HA injection.

The procedure can be completed during a standard office visit.

After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort or stiffness, but most patients feel very little discomfort or side effects from the procedure.

It is advisable to avoid excessive walking or strenuous activity involving the knee the day of the procedure. A gradual return to normal activity over the next 2-3 days is recommended.

PRP is generally considered a safe treatment, especially since it uses the patient’s own blood. However, as with any injection, there are some risks, including:

• Local infection
• Pain or stiffness at the injection site
• Temporary side effects like dizziness, nausea, or headache

It’s also important to consider the cost of PRP therapy. Since it is still considered an experimental treatment, it’s not usually covered by insurance, and patients may require multiple injections over time to maintain benefits.

Contact our office and we are happy to discuss details about the cost of treatments.