Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an established treatment for knee osteoarthritis, a common condition that causes pain and stiffness in the knee joint. PRP is made from a patient’s blood, which is processed to concentrate the platelets that contain helpful growth factors. These growth factors can reduce pain and improve joint function when injected into the affected knee.

A recent study has provided strong evidence that high-dose PRP shots can effectively manage knee osteoarthritis when prepared and administered standardized. The study looked at data from 431 patients who received a single shot of either a high (8.6mL) or very high (17mL) volume of highly concentrated and purified PRP into their arthritic knee.

The researchers tracked the patients’ symptoms and knee function for up to 18 months using simple questionnaires that measured pain, stiffness, and physical function. The results showed significant improvements across the entire group of patients. The average pain and function scores improved notably from the start of the study to 12 months after the PRP shot.

Impressively, more than half of the patients were considered to have responded well to the treatment at the 6-month mark, and the benefits lasted over time—even patients with severe knee osteoarthritis, who might have otherwise needed a knee replacement, experienced improvements.

The study also found that patients with more severe symptoms at the beginning and those who showed more significant improvement at three months tended to have better long-term results at one year. However, patients who had previously received PRP shots had a somewhat reduced response to the treatment. Factors such as being overweight and the severity of arthritis based on x-ray findings did not appear to affect the outcomes. Patients with arthritis affecting only the kneecap area had slightly more minor functional improvements.

The use of very high 17mL PRP volumes seemed to provide longer-lasting benefits compared to 8.6mL shots, although more research is needed to confirm this finding. The study highlights the importance of using standardized methods for preparing PRP and tracking patient outcomes to determine this therapy’s proper use and cost-effectiveness.

In conclusion, this study proves that high-dose, highly purified PRP shots can offer long-lasting relief for knee osteoarthritis, even in severe cases. The findings suggest that PRP could be an effective treatment option for this common and debilitating condition. As research continues, PRP may become more widely used as a safe, long-lasting therapy for knee osteoarthritis.