The healthy impact PRP can have on your Knee Pain
As we age, knee pain becomes more common, affecting both men and women alike. This discomfort in the knee joint is a common medical concern, usually experienced alongside other joint-related problems. Athletes and other people who engage in physically strenuous activities that largely rely on their knees often suffer from common knee problems like pain and stiffness.
In the past, people with chronic knee pain had limited choices: live with it or choose knee replacement surgery. Thankfully, there are many different treatments available today that can reduce uncomfortable symptoms and enhances your knee function sa well.
Dr. Ajay Kumar Tiwari, one of the best orthopaedic knee surgeons in Hyderabad, has a team of experts who can offer advanced treatment options like PRP therapy to patients who suffer from different kinds of knee problems. They include osteoarthritis (OA), one of the most common causes of knee pain and trauma.
Here’s how PRP can help you if you suffer from knee pain.
The Fundamentals of PRP
Your blood’s platelets carry hormones that promote growth. So these platelets are extracted from your own blood, and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) solution is prepared. This PRP contains a higher concentration of platelets. Platelets are among the key elements of blood that play a vital role in repairing damaged tissue.
Experts believe that injecting this PRP solution into an injured area can boost the repair of damaged tissues on its own by forming new cells.
PRP may be able to trigger natural healing responses to reverse tissue damage in this manner.
When it comes to the use of PRP to treat knee osteoarthritis, studies conducted on whether it is a safe and effective option produced mixed results.
A review published in 2019 found that while several studies supported its usage, a few claimed PRP had no impact.
PRP and your knees
PRP is a commonly utilized treatment for alleviating symptoms related to knee arthritis, or a condition referred to as an osteochondral defect. In both conditions, the joint’s cartilage layer is damaged.
Cartilage that is healthy helps in preventing friction and inflammation in the joint. But due to wear and tear or injury, the cartilage becomes damaged, which results in joint stiffness, pain, swelling, and restricted mobility in joints.
With the help of PRP therapy, the growth and development of new, healthy cartilage are stimulated to replace the damaged cartilage. The entire therapeutic process is carried out within the clinic, from collecting the patient’s blood sample to administering the PRP injection.
Following PRP therapy, it is recommended to restrain yourself from engaging in strenuous activities for at least two weeks to provide ample time for the PRP to take effect. In most cases, you can resume your regular routine in a few days.
Case study
In 2017, 14 randomized controlled trials were conducted on 1,423 patients. They were examined for knee OA and suggested PRP therapy to treat the condition. Results indicated that PRP eases pain and prevents the progression of knee OA.
At three, six and twelve-month follow-ups, the researchers observed the following:
- At every follow-up visit, it was observed that PRP injections considerably reduced the patients’ pain levels.
- It was also observed that the physical functions of the knee joint were also significantly improved with PRP therapy at these follow-ups.
Although there were some side effects, they were temporary and not significantly more severe than those caused by other injection types. However, experts say that more research is needed so that they can make it, even more beneficial.
If you are having knee pain or any other associated problems, consult Dr. Ajay Tiwari, one of the best orthopaedic knee specialists in Hyderabad. He will assess the condition of your knees and decide whether PRP therapy is an effective treatment for your OA-related knee pain. He has more than 16 years of experience treating various kinds of orthopaedic problems and has become one of the best knee pain doctors in Hyderabad. For appointment booking, call +91 98499 82203 and book your slot now.
