As practitioners who specialize in treating painful and debilitating knee conditions, we understand firsthand how challenging chronic knee pain can be, especially considering its many possible causes – from osteoarthritis to a result of an accident playing sports or simply aging. Unfortunately, not everything can be fixed by taking pain medications.
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One treatment for knee pain that has been talked about quite a bit recently is platelet-rich plasma injection therapy. With all the articles on the Internet about various treatments, it may become challenging to figure out which are clinically proven. This blog post will give current information on the success of PRP shots for knee problems.
Statistics on the Increase in Knee Arthritis in the US
Knee arthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the USA, with 32.5 million American adults being affected by this disease. Knee arthritis occurs when the knee joint’s protective cartilage degenerates and results in the bones rubbing against one another.
PRP for Knee Pain: A Regenerative Alternative to Traditional Treatments
These treatments — nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physiotherapy, cortisone injections, and ultimately joint replacement surgery — all have their drawbacks. Chronic NSAID consumption is associated with digestive and heart conditions. Cortisone injections offer only temporary relief and, when used repeatedly, can hasten the deterioration of the cartilage. Surgical intervention is highly effective in extreme situations, but it comes with lengthy recovery periods and inherent risks.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has made its way into the discussion as a regenerative option that focuses on the biological nature of joint degradation.
How PRP Supports Knee Healing at a Cellular Level
When PRP is injected into the knee joint, the platelets secrete proteins such as PDGF (platelet derived growth factor), TGF-β (transforming growth factor-Beta), and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). This combination of proteins helps in:
- Limiting inflammatory processes in the joint
- The creation of new chondrocytes and collagen production
- The synthesis of synovial fluid , thus improving lubrication in the joints
- Â The inhibition of cartilage degradation
Since the PRP is injected straight into the joint space, preferably with the help of ultrasound technology, the action of the growth factors is focused on precisely where the damage occurs.
Is PRP Better Than Steroid Injections for Knee Pain? Here’s What Studies Show
PRP Versus Cortisone: Duration of Effect
Research comparing PRP therapy to cortisone shows that even though cortisone works faster, PRP provides more lasting effects in terms of pain management and increased joint function. According to the data collected from several studies through 2025, PRP gives noticeable results between 12 and 24 months after an injection, which means that its duration of action outlasts that of cortisone by more than twice as much (6 to 12 weeks).
PRP Versus Hyaluronic Acid (Gel Injection)
The other type of injection used for knee osteoarthritis is hyaluronic acid or gel injection. Numerous meta-analyses show that in comparison with PRP therapy, the effect of such an intervention is inferior in terms of relieving pain and improving joint function at the six- and twelve-month markers.
Cartilage Preservative Properties of PRP
Recent developments in medical imaging techniques suggest that platelet-rich plasma might slow down the process of cartilage depletion within joints affected by arthritis. Even though PRP does not cure osteoarthritis, preliminary evidence points to the possibility of preserving joint health with PRP therapy.
Patient-Reported Outcomes
Clinical studies reveal that patients receiving treatment with PRP for osteoarthritis of the knee have reported significant gains in pain scales, walking, climbing stairs, and general daily functioning. The levels of satisfaction have been reported to be very high, especially in mild and moderate cases of OA with healthy cartilage.
Who Is the Right Candidate for PRP in Knee Osteoarthritis?
The PRP treatment is recommended only in cases of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. People who suffer from bone-on-bone deterioration and have no cartilage remaining may be inappropriate candidates for the procedure.
How Many Injections Are Typically Needed?
Typically, knee osteoarthritis PRP treatment consists of one to three injections, with each dose administered every four to six weeks. Many patients report significant improvement following just one injection, whereas others require more treatments. Nevertheless, the healing process triggered by PRP injections will continue long after the last session, as the process takes several weeks or months before it reaches its end point.
Who Is the Right Candidate for PRP Knee Injections?
PRP is likely to have optimal results on those who:
- Have a diagnosed case of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis
- Have not gained satisfaction from undergoing physical therapy or anti-inflammatory drugs
- Have not reached the point where their joints begin to deteriorate severely
- Are in relatively good general health and do not smoke (or only occasionally smoke)
The comprehensive assessment process that we conduct here at Restore Spine and Pain will help us decide if you are an ideal candidate for PRP.
What to Expect Before and After Your Knee PRP Injection ?
Before the treatment, you will be instructed to discontinue using anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen for at least five to seven days since these drugs impair the functionality of platelets, thereby hindering the efficacy of PRP. Adequate hydration is also recommended during the pre-treatment period.
Following the treatment, some soreness and swelling may occur in the area of the knee, but these effects usually last only for three to five days. Walking and performing minor tasks are allowed right away, although intense physical exercises are advised to be avoided for one to two weeks.
Conclusion
However, there have been many more studies conducted within the last couple of years concerning the benefits of PRP on osteoarthritis of the knee. Although not all patients will benefit from PRP and it is not a magic solution for all knee problems, for the proper candidate PRP can provide a natural solution without surgery.
If your knee joint pains and conventional treatments are not sufficient, then maybe the time has come to consider other possible options for treatment and to consult about PRP with our specialists at Restore Spine and Pain Clinic.
Call us today and schedule an appointment.