PRP or platelet rich plasma injections for knee arthritis are very popular these days. Many physician are administering PRP injections to patients with osteoarthritis and many other disorders. There has been a lot of controversy about PRP injections — but one of the more recent studies show that PRP injections might slow the progression of your knee arthritis.
Many questions (should) arise when the topic of PRP injections for arthritis of the knee is discussed in the office.
- Can PRP injections alleviate the pain of arthritis?
- Can PRP improve your quality of life?
- Can PRP slow the progression of your arthritis?
PRP or platelet rich plasma is a treatment that can be offered to patients with osteoarthritis, and many tendon disorders such as tendinosis. This office based procedure involves taking a sample of blood from you and preparing it in a centrifuge. We then take a certain portion of your blood out of the tube and inject it back into your knee, elbow, or whatever structure we are treating. The sample now contains your platelets which are cells in your blood that contain a lot of inflammatory and healing chemicals. Once the platelets are injected back into you, they will release these chemicals which stimulate other cells to come to the area of injury or pain. Those recruited cells and the chemicals released by the platelets can diminish inflammation, and in some situations lead to healing.
The research surrounding the use of PRP injections is significant, and yet, at this point still in its infancy. Some studies show significant improvement, while some show little improvement over a placebo. The issues with the research is that a placebo itself can result in relief, and not all PRP preparations are the same. Different manufacturers also prepare the PRP in different ways — so we may not be comparing apples to apples.
Can PRP Prevent Arthritis from Worsening?
A recent study performed in 2013 set out to see if PRP might actually slow the progression or worsening of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis involves the loss of cartilage in your knee. Previous studies have shown that the average arthritic knee can lose up to 5% of its cartilage ( or cushioning) every year. In the study quoted above, they found that 1 year after a PRP injection for arthritis of the knee, there was no further cartilage loss in more than 70% of knees.
“We are entering into an era of biologic treatment, which is incredibly ideal, where you can use your own cells to try to help repair your other cells, rather than using a substance that is artificial,” Dr. Brian Halpern
Bottom Line: The take home message is that PRP injections might slow the progression of osteoarthritis. PRP injections might preserve the cartilage that you have left within your knee. PRP injections appear to improve your quality of life and may enable you to put off further consideration of surgery as an alternative treatment. BUT, PRP injections have NOT been shown to reverse or cure the arthritis, yet. Many, many more research studies are needed. Stay tuned …
Dr. Pratik M. Shah says
Hi Dr. Luke,
My self Dr. Pratik from India.
I am a pain physician.
I had started PRP THERAPY since last 6 month.
I want to know long term result of PRP for OA KNEE.
Can u share your experiences about long term effects of pain relief.
Howard J. Luks, MD says
Some recent studies out of HSS shows that it delays progression of cartilage loss. In patients with mild to moderate OA, it has resulted in pain relief for 8-10 mos on average.
ovi says
In 2010 ,found out about PRP shots attending a Princeton U coaches clinic.The dr.. told me that based on my history injuries/surgeries will end up with knee replacement if not…for PRP’s.
I’ve had in 2005 ACL&meniscus surgery on my left knee and the same in my right knee in 2008!!! I used to be very active all my life ,playing soccer ,tennis,running,martial arts..
Started playing USTA ,tennis tournaments and was doing great..until my left knee gave up..cartilage damage.
Another surgery in 2012..cartilage debridement/shaved cartilage..left with nothing!!!!
Pain was so annoying, couidn’t run,jump ,play tennis .felt like a big hole (quarter size)in my inner knee.
Went to see dr Jimenez and he asked me about my recovery time after surgeries.Stated that has to do a lot with being a candidate for prp’s. After first meniscus surgery I was able to run 5 days later ,no swelling and no pain .He said for sure I qualify….. I thought will never be able to do anything anymore…but a month after the second shot my knee felt awesome!
My mistake I pushed to early and had used a knee brace that was to tight..it irritated my knee ,and ended in pain again.
After 3 more PRP’s in my left knee and 2 in my right knee(it started going down too) I was doing great again..until a sartorius injury extended to quad,hamstring,glutes..that ended up irritating again my knee.
Yesterday had the 6 th prp in my left and will do one more in 2 weeks after which I hope the last one in my right one.
I go to the gym and work out lightly to build the muscle in my legs(lost to much mass/take 10 days off,now) and NOW I am patient not pushing to early.
PRP would work in my opinion but don’t make my mistakes,be patient ,exercise but don’t push it,give yourself time to fully recover.I would say up to 6 months.
Also I eat very healthy,and still build muscle doing light work outs ..very important: stay slim ,to much weight will destroy your knees!
Hope it was helpful for the ones are going through the same issues I had/have! Good luck!!!!
Ann says
Dr Luks I am very interested I. This treatment for my arthritic knee, I’ve tried therapy and acupuncture as well as a lidocaine injection but not much help. Is this procedure covered by insurance
Howard J. Luks, MD says
Sorry Ann… it is not.
Ann says
Thank you Dr. Luks, how do I find out if I’m a candidate for PRP.