Is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy Effective for Osteoarthritis in the Knees?

What is Osteoathritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage between the joints– which acts like cushioning– start to degenerate and breakdown causing bone on bone friction during movement which results in pain if left untreated. It is the leading cause of disability in individuals over the age of 50 that can affect the shoulders, knees, hips and elbows, amongst other joints that contain cartilage. The best-recommended way to truly determine if you have Osteoarthritis is to get evaluated by a Osteopathic Physician who specializes in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the Muscular skeletal system.

What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative treatment that utilizes the bloods own growth factors that are within the platelets to help repair damaged cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Platelet Rich Plasma can be used in multiple joints of the body such as the hips, shoulders, elbows and in the knees due to its heavy stress load that they carry and the benefits that studies have shown PRP provides for them.

With Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, your blood that is comprised of Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells and Platelets are drawn by a Physician who then separates the healing properties (Growth Factors) within the blood through an FDA approved process. The Physician then injects the growth factors into the injured area or the area that is causing pain. Once injected, the growth factors begin to repair the damaged tissues and reduce inflammation thus providing lasting pain relief and healing which can prevent surgical interventions (ie. Hip Replacement, Total Knee Replacement, or Arthroscopic Surgery).

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for Osteoarthritis:
Although more studies are still being performed to determine PRPs true potential on Osteoarthritis in the knees, significant number of studies have shown tremendous improvement with joint regeneration and repair in patients with arthritis. The studies have concluded, what truly separates PRP therapy from other treatment methods such as Cortisone injections and over the counter medications are its healing capabilities and its ability to not only reduce inflammation but its abilities to simultaneously regenerate tissues and reduce pain rather than masking it. Researches at the International journal of rheumatic disease performed a study on the benefits of PRP for Osteoarthritis and have reported that PRP is an effective interventional method to treat Osteoarthritis of the knees without increasing the risks of adverse effects. In addition to these PRP studies, other researchers have found that PRP in conjunction with Hyaluronic acid (Supartz) injections have also been highly effective in improving joint function, reducing symptoms and improving the patient’s quality of life especially in the younger demographic with lower Osteoarthritis grades.

How can I start Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
The recommended steps to begin PRP treatment is to first come in and be evaluated by our Physician who specializes in the Muscular skeletal system and regenerative medicine so that he can provide a proper diagnose and create a customized plan of care that best suites you financially and physically.