Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has become one of the most talked-about treatments in orthopaedics. As a regenerative orthopaedics specialist, I am often asked whether it works, who it is suitable for, and what realistic expectations should be. This guide answers those questions honestly — without exaggeration.
PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. It is produced by drawing a small amount of your own blood (typically 30–60 ml), placing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelet fraction, and then injecting that concentrate directly into an injured or arthritic joint.
Platelets are best known for their role in blood clotting, but they also contain dozens of growth factors — signalling proteins that recruit the body's repair cells and modulate inflammation. The goal of PRP therapy is to deliver a concentrated dose of these growth factors exactly where healing is needed.
Importantly, PRP uses your own blood. There is no foreign substance, no animal-derived product, and no implant. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and takes about 60–90 minutes from blood draw to injection.
In orthopaedics, PRP has the most clinical evidence for the following conditions:
Results are most consistent and well-supported for tendon-related conditions (such as tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis) and mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis. For these, well-designed clinical trials have shown meaningful pain reduction and functional improvement compared to placebo injections.
Multiple randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews (including meta-analyses published in journals such as the American Journal of Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy) have found that PRP injections for knee osteoarthritis provide statistically significant pain reduction and functional improvement at 6 and 12 months — with benefits appearing superior to hyaluronic acid injections in several comparisons. Evidence is strongest for mild-to-moderate (Grade 1–2 Kellgren-Lawrence) osteoarthritis.
I want to be honest with patients: PRP is not a cure for arthritis. It does not reverse cartilage loss or restore a worn joint to normal. What it can do, in the right patient, is reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and slow the rate of deterioration — potentially delaying the need for surgery by months or years.
In my practice, I consider PRP for patients who:
You will have a consultation where I review your X-rays or MRI, assess joint health, and confirm you are a suitable candidate. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) for 5–7 days before the injection, as these may dampen platelet activity.
Blood is drawn from your arm (same as a routine blood test), placed in a centrifuge for 10–15 minutes, and the PRP layer separated. The skin over the joint is cleaned and a local anaesthetic applied. The concentrated PRP is then injected under ultrasound guidance or precise anatomical technique into the joint or tendon. The whole appointment takes about 60–90 minutes.
A temporary increase in joint soreness is normal for 3–7 days — this is a natural inflammatory response to the growth factors. Most patients begin noticing improvement from 3–4 weeks onwards. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications for 2 weeks after the injection. Light walking is encouraged; avoid heavy loading or sports for 2 weeks.
Cortisone injections act faster, often providing significant pain relief within days. However, steroid effects typically plateau at 4–8 weeks, and repeated steroid injections can accelerate cartilage loss over time.
PRP, by contrast, has a slower onset but offers longer-lasting relief (typically 6–12+ months) and has a neutral or potentially beneficial effect on joint cartilage. For patients with mild-to-moderate knee arthritis seeking medium-term relief, PRP is often the better biological choice.
Yes. I offer PRP therapy at DH Clinic Ayyanthole, Thrissur. PRP is prepared on-site using a validated centrifuge system. All injections are performed after a proper clinical assessment — I do not offer PRP to patients for whom it is not the right treatment. An honest conversation about your individual case always comes before any procedure.
Every patient's joint health is different. A consultation helps determine whether PRP, physiotherapy, surgery, or another approach is the right next step for you.
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