Using Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections for knee arthritis is a relatively new treatment option that utilizes your own blood to help relieve knee pain and promote long-lasting healing. Discover the many benefits of PRP treatments and how an orthopedic knee specialist can help you alleviate knee pain with this nonsurgical procedure.
What is Arthritis?
In simple words arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints in the body. By using the word arthritis it means osteoarthritis unless has a prefix mentioned as rheumatoid or psoartitic. While any joint can be affected by this condition, knees are one of the most commonly afflicted areas. It is predominantly due to the weight bearing joint. Arthritis in the knees can make it difficult to perform normal activities like:
1. Standing for long
2. Walking
3. Stair climbing
Symptoms of arthritis typically develop over a time; initially associated with exertion and later even on rest. The pain usually waxes and wanes. Patients often experience pain, inflammation, and decreased range of motion. With advances disease they experience bending deformity in the knee
Varus defromity in osteoarthritis compared to the normal alignment
What are the Treatment Options for Knee Arthritis?
Initial treatments for arthritis in the knees are typically conservative / nonsurgical. Doctor usually recommend lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medications to help ease symptoms. If these treatments fail to relieve your pain, knee surgery may be the next step. Common surgical procedures for knee arthritis include arthroscopy and synovectomy—this involves surgically removing the membrane that lines the joint , unicompartmental knee replacement and total knee replacement.
However, surgery isn’t the sole next step in your healing process. An alternative treatment option or middle regime that has become increasingly popular among orthopedic knee specialists and patients is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections.
What is a PRP Treatment?
Platelet-Rich Plasma is a type of Prolotherapy that promotes the self-healing properties of the body to help it repair damaged ligaments. Prolotherapy, or proliferation therapy, is an injection-based procedure used in chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as knee arthritis. During this treatment, a small quantity of your blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge. The plasma, which contains concentrated growth factors, is then extracted and injected into the afflicted joint.
After the procedure, your doctor will recommend that you ice the area every two to three hours for 20 minutes each. You’ll also want to limit your physical activity and avoid motions that put significant weight on the joint. For optimal results, your orthopedic knee specialist may recommend a series of PRP injections spaced a few weeks or months apart.
What are the Benefits of PRP?
What Are the Benefits of PRP? Since PRP utilizes your own natural elements, it is considered to be a very safe process—the treatment method has long been used in hospitals and sports medicine since the 70s. The injections are particularly useful in managing pain associated with knee arthritis, which reduces the need for anti-inflammatories or stronger medications like opioids. Additionally, PRP injections can treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
1. Rotator cuff tear
2. Plantar fascitis
3. Tennis elbow
The results of PRP injections are typically long term, with many patients reporting satisfactory results lasting for more than one year after just one or two treatment sessions.