Accessibility Tools

Regenerative PRP Therapy to Relieve Joint Pain and Inflammation

The Oklahoma Joint Reconstructive Institute offers regenerative advanced therapy for joint pain, including Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy for relief of arthritis inflammation and joint pain.

PRP is the patient’s own blood, spun down to separate the plasma from the red blood cells. The platelet rich plasma concentration is then injected into the joint, accelerating the healing process. 

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Our blood consists of a liquid component known as plasma. It also consists of three main solid components which include the red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Platelets play an important role in forming blood clots. They also consist of special proteins, known as growth factors, which help with our body’s healing process. Platelet-rich plasma or PRP is a high concentration of platelets and plasma. A normal blood specimen contains only 6% platelets, while platelet-rich plasma contains 94% of platelets and 5 to 10 times the concentration of growth factors found in normal blood, thus greater healing properties.

What are the Indications for PRP Injections?

PRP is a relatively new method of treatment for several orthopedic conditions such as muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries; arthritis; and fractures. PRP injections can help alleviate painful symptoms, promote healing, and delay joint replacement surgeries.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Procedure

The blood is then spun in a centrifuge machine for about 10 to 15 minutes to separate the platelets from the remaining blood components. The injured part of your body is then anesthetized with a local anesthetic. The platelet-rich portion of your blood is then injected into your affected area.

Post-Procedure Care following PRP Injections

It is normal to feel some discomfort at the injection site for a few days after your procedure.

  • You may use cold compresses to alleviate your symptoms. 
  • You will be instructed to stop any anti-inflammatory medications. 
  • You may resume your normal activities but should avoid any strenuous activities such as heavy lifting or exercises.

Risks and Complications of PRP Injections

There are very minimal risks associated with PRP injections. Some of the potential risks include:

  • Increased pain at the injection site
  • Infection
  • Damage to adjacent nerves or tissues
  • Formation of scar tissue
  • Calcification at the injection site

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Knee Osteoarthritis - Evidence Overview

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition and a leading cause of disability. The disease negatively affects several aspects of a patient’s life, including mobility, sleep, mood, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite the clinical and economic burden of the disease, there is a recognized “treatment gap” in the management of patients with knee OA; where the individual no longer responds to conservative management but is considered inappropriate for surgical interventions. Intra-articular injections may be an appropriate treatment option for these patients. Despite the current use of intra-articular cortisone injection in some patients, there is a growing body of evidence that shows it offers only short-term pain relief for patients and may also be associated with disease progression.

PRP intra-articular injection is an established treatment option for individuals with mild to moderate knee OA. PRP contains biologically active proteins (platelet and plasma derived growth factors), which have inflammation-reducing properties.6 There is a substantial body of evidence, including over 34 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which shows the benefit of PRP over placebo, hyaluronic acid (HA), and steroid. Links to several key papers within this evidence base are set out below.

Summary

Results from meta-analyses and RCTs demonstrate PRP is associated with improved VAS and WOMAC scores versus both cortisone and HA injections in patients with knee OA at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up.

Follow Dr. Jacob on Social Media