Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for Knee osteoarthritis

Cortisone shots immediately reduce pain but long term they may have some detrimental side effects on the joints.

PRP is when your own blood is drawn in our office, placed in a machine which allows the nutrient rich portion with growth factors to float to the top. This layer is removed and injected into your knee via ultrasound guidance in our clinic. This procedure from start to finish usually takes between 30-45 minutes. The recommendation is 3 PRP injections one month apart, with a maintenance injection every 6 months thereafter.  It can provide symptomatic relief from arthritis pain for up to 12 months. It has been shown to delay the need for knee replacement surgery!

PRP has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory (pain-relieving) effects through your own natural growth factors from your blood and has stimulatory effects by enhancing your own cartilage and collagen health.

Recent data/studies on the benefits of PRP:

-June 2020 Study: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology showed PRP injections into the knee joint provided better outcomes with more pain improvement and enhanced functioning than other injections like cortisone and hyaluronic (gel) shots

-A recent article in the International Journal of Orthopedics found that PRP injections may delay the knee for knee replacement surgery

COST: not covered by insurance

$550 for each injection

REFERENCES:

Dong Y, Zhang B, Yang Q, Zhu J, Sun X. The effects of platelet-rich plasma injection in knee and hip osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jun 12]. Clin Rheumatol. 2020;10.1007/s10067-020-05185-2. doi:10.1007/s10067-020-05185-2

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00264-020-04669-9 (PRP delays need for joint replacement)

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Arthritis & Rheumatology Clinical Center of Northern Virginia has been providing the best rheumatologic care to patients throughout Northern Virginia. Our doctors are board certified in rheumatology.