Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is derived from a patient’s blood by using a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge allows the heavier red blood cells to be separated from the plasma component of blood.
The platelet rich plasma (PRP) contains many growth factors and can be useful as a treatment for many conditions. It most likely works as an anti-inflammatory agent but may also assist healing of injury.
PRP injections are generally given as a series of 3 injections over 4 weeks (week 0, week 2, and week 4) and are low risk as they are derived from the patient’s own blood. There is good evidence that they provide symptom relief for 6-12 month for knee osteoarthritis and PRP injections are a useful first-line treatment for knee osteoarthritis.
PRP injections are a much more cost-effective treatment than stem cell therapy (www.stemcellsydney.com.au).
PRP injections have minimal side-effects but infection is a small risk, as with any injection. Some patient’s may experience a mild increase in pain after an injection.
PRP injections are generally not used in children under 18 years old and are also not used in patients with significant blood disorders, or those who have cancer.
PRP injection series is safe and has level 1 scientific evidence of significantly reducing knee pain, and significantly improving knee function at 3, 6, and 12 months [1-7].
The use of PRP injections has been shown to decrease the symptoms of:
- Osteoarthritis of the knee [1-7]
- Ankle osteoarthritis and osteohondral lesions [8]
- Ligament and tendon injury [9-11]
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Achilles tendinitis [14-17]
- Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinitis) [18-19]
- Heel spurs (plantar fasciitis) [20-21]
- Muscle strain [22]
References
- Dai WL et al. Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Arthroscopy, 2017; 33(3):659-670.
- Meheux CJ, et al.Efficacy of Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. Arthroscopy. 32(3):495-505, 2016.
- Shen L, et al.The temporal effect of platelet-rich plasma on pain and physical function in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Orthop Surg Res .2017; 23;12(1):16.
- Hunt TJ. Editorial commentary: The time has come to try intra-articular platelet-rich plasma injections for your patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy, 2017; 33(3):671-672.
- Treatment of knee joint osteoarthritis with autologous platelet-rich plasma in comparison with hyaluronic acid.Spaková T et al.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2012.
- Infiltration of plasma rich in growth factors for osteoarthritis of the knee short-term effects on function and quality of life.Wang-Saegusa A et al. Arch Ortho Trauma Surg.2011.
- Injection of platelet-rich plasma in patients with primary and secondary knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study.Sampson S et al. Am J Phys Med Rehab. 2010.
- Platelet-rich plasma or hyaluronate in the management of osteochondral lesions of the talus.Mei-Dan O et al. Am J Sports Med. 2012.
- Platelet-rich plasma treatment for ligament and tendon injuries. Paoloni J et al. Clin J Sport Med. 2011.
- Growth factors in the management of sport-induced tendinopathies: results after 24 months from treatment. A pilot study.Volpi P et al. J Sports MedPhys Fitness. 2010.
- Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injections and other injections for management of tendinopathy: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Coombes BK et al. Lancet. 2010.
- Platelet-rich plasma versus autologous whole blood for the treatment of chronic lateral elbow epicondylitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Thanasas C et al. Am J Sports Med. 2011.
- Positive effect of an autologous platelet concentrate in lateral epicondylitis in a double-blind randomized controlled trial: platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injection with a 1-year follow-up.Peerbooms JC et al. Am J Sports Med. 2010.
- de Vos RJ, Weir A, van Schie HTM, et al. Platelet-rich plasma injection for chronic Achilles tendinopathy: a randomised controlled trial. JAMA 2010.
- Platelet rich plasma treatment for chronic Achilles tendinosis. Monto RR. Foot Ankle International. 2012.
- Treatment of Achilles tendinopathy with platelet-rich plasma.Gaweda K et al. International J Sports Medicine. 2010.
- One-year follow-up of platelet-rich plasma treatment in chronic Achilles tendinopathy: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.de Jonge Set al. American JSports Medicine. 2011.
- Use of platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of refractory jumper's knee.Filardo G et al.International Orthopaedics. 2010.
- Patellar tendon healing with platelet-rich plasma: a prospective randomized controlled trial.de Almeida AM et al. American J Sports Medicine. 2012.
- Platelet rich plasma for treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.Ragab EM et al.Archives Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery. 2012.
- The comparison of the effect of corticosteroids and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.Aksahin E et al. Archives Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery. 2012.
- Platelet-enriched plasma and muscle strain injuries: challenges imposed by the burden of proof. Hamilton BH et al.Clinical J Sport Medicine. 2011.