What are the advantages of PRP for knee osteoarthritis?

PRP is drawn from the patient's own blood and involves only a small injection puncture. Studies suggest its growth factors may be associated with reduced joint inflammation, less pain, and tissue repair, but the actual response varies from person to person and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

What limitations and challenges does PRP treatment still face?

PRP preparation methods are not yet standardized, and treatment effects vary from person to person. The long-term stability of the effect, along with the optimal injection frequency and concentration, are still being studied and need more standardized research to support them.

PRP Injection and the Growth Factors That May Help Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common chronic condition, and its prevalence keeps rising with an aging population and the growing problem of obesity. Traditional treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, and hyaluronic acid injections usually provide temporary symptom relief. In recent years, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has gained increasing attention for its potential to promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation.

How does PRP therapy work?

PRP is extracted from a patient’s own blood and, after centrifugation, yields plasma rich in a high concentration of platelets. These platelets contain a range of growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). These growth factors can promote chondrocyte proliferation, angiogenesis, and tissue repair, which may in turn help address the pathological process of knee osteoarthritis. In addition, these growth factors can reduce the inflammatory response, which may further ease patients’ pain and discomfort.

Clinical research evidence

Recent meta-analyses suggest that PRP injection for knee osteoarthritis can improve knee function and, in terms of pain relief, was associated with better outcomes than some other traditional treatments in the studies reviewed. One study followed 150 patients with knee osteoarthritis for a year and found that the treatment effect in the PRP group persisted up to 12 months, while the effect in the control group gradually declined. In addition, a randomized controlled study involving 78 patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis reported that both single and double PRP injections significantly improved symptoms compared with saline injection.

Although the results are encouraging, the research also points out that the variety of PRP preparation methods may lead to inconsistent treatment outcomes. It is suggested that standardized PRP preparation and treatment guidelines continue to be developed in the future to improve the consistency of clinical results.

Clinical applications of PRP

Compared with traditional treatments for knee osteoarthritis such as corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections, PRP therapy showed a more durable and more comprehensive effect in the studies reviewed. A three-year study found that patients who received PRP treatment performed more strongly in pain reduction and functional improvement, and that the effect lasted longer.

In addition, PRP injection has shown some advantages for postoperative recovery. For example, patients who received PRP treatment after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) showed faster wound healing, less postoperative swelling, and better pain control. These clinical advantages further support the broad potential of PRP therapy.

Advantages and challenges

Advantages

Small, safe injection puncture: using the patient’s own blood reduces the risk of allergy or infection
Comprehensive effect: may help reduce joint inflammation, protect cartilage, and ease pain
Faster recovery: promotes the natural regeneration of cartilage and tissue
Fewer complications: may help wound healing and reduce postoperative pain

Challenges

PRP preparation methods are not standardized, so treatment effects vary
The long-term stability of the effect still needs more research to support it
The optimal treatment frequency and concentration are still being studied

Future directions

Further research should focus on standardizing PRP preparation and injection methods, on the long-term stability of the effect, and on assessing outcomes in patients with different degrees of disease. It is also worth exploring the mechanism of PRP treatment at the molecular level in more depth to further refine its clinical application. In addition, researchers may explore how to combine PRP therapy with other newer treatments, such as stem cells or hyaluronic acid injections, to improve the overall effect.

Summary

Based on current research findings, it is suggested that patients discuss in detail with a healthcare professional before receiving PRP therapy to determine a suitable treatment plan and frequency. Patients should also understand that PRP treatment may require multiple injections to achieve the best effect.

PRP therapy has shown potential in slowing knee osteoarthritis and may help improve joint function and ease pain. However, standardization of treatment and further in-depth research remain key tasks for the future. Through ongoing research and practice, PRP treatment may become a standard option for knee osteoarthritis.

References

Addressing Knee Osteoarthritis Pathology Through Platelet‐Rich Plasma Treatment: A Comprehensive Review. Adv Orthop. 2024 Nov 19:2024:6551525.