Platelet-rich plasma or PRP, as we know it, is a magical potion that can turn your life around. From promoting hair growth to curbing inflammation, PRP has multiple therapeutic benefits for the human body. Joint pain is a global health burden with millions of individuals suffering from it every year. Taking over-the-counter painkillers can provide temporary relief, but with significant side effects. So, experts tried PRP for this purpose, and it showed promising results. So, today we explore the benefits of PRP injections for joint pain.
How PRP Reduces Joint Pain?
PRP injections are rich in growth factors, which, when injected into the affected site, induce multiple positive changes. Platelet-rich plasma amps up the body’s natural healing potential and stimulates tissue repair. In addition to enhanced healing, intra-articular PRP injections alleviate inflammation while improving joint lubrication. Recent studies reveal that PRP injections have positive molecular effects on ligament and tendon healing. This can be pretty beneficial for degenerative joint conditions.
PRP For Joint Pain Conditions
Multiple joint conditions can limit your movement by inducing aches in the body. PRP does wonders for most of these disorders:
Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is the greatest contributor to joint pain across the globe. Findings from a 2021 study show that PRP injections have a higher efficacy than conservative treatments in relieving pain (and symptoms). Moreover, PRP formulations have long sustained chondroprotective (cartilage-protective) effects in knee osteoarthritis patients. In addition to pain relief, the functional improvements with PRP injections are also commendable.
Osteoporosis
People suffering from fragile bones also experience joint pain. There are various strategies to manage this pain. New studies show that platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) restore bone integrity and treat bony defects, which leads to pain relief.
Chondromalacia Patellae
Inflammation of the underside of the kneecap’s (patella) cartilage can cause a great deal of joint pain. Injecting platelet-rich plasma into the knee joint has been shown to greatly reduce joint pain and inflammation.
Auto-Immune Disorders
Administration of PRP injections in the swollen joints of auto-immune patients holds promise. You can benefit from these healing-promoter injections for different autoimmune disorders. Rheumatoid Arthritis patients usually have a lot of joint swelling and pain. PRP shows promising results in suppressing joint inflammation and managing pain. Psoriatic arthritis patients with knee pain show appreciable improvements in pain and swelling after platelet-rich plasma injections.
Benefits Of PRP For Joint Pain
You can enjoy the following benefits of PRP:
- Natural healing and effective pain relief
- No need to take gut-burning painkiller medicines
- Quick recovery
- Long-lasting results
- Minimal side effects
- Alternative to surgical interventions
Patients seeking relief from their joint pain can visit the Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic for quick and long-lasting results!
Conclusion
Joint pain is highly prevalent in the world, which interferes with daily activities. The conventional methods of managing joint pain have many side effects. Intra-articular PRP injections show promising results in conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and chondromalacia etc. Plus, there are long-lasting effects and minimal side effects.
References
- Chalidis, B., Givissis, P., Papadopoulos, P., & Pitsilos, C. (2023). Molecular and biologic effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in ligament and tendon healing and regeneration: a systematic review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(3), 2744.
- Hong, M., Cheng, C., Sun, X., Yan, Y., Zhang, Q., Wang, W., & Guo, W. (2021). Efficacy and safety of intra‐articular platelet‐rich plasma in osteoarthritis knee: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. BioMed research international, 2021(1), 2191926.
- Bansal, H., Leon, J., Pont, J. L., Wilson, D. A., Bansal, A., Agarwal, D., & Preoteasa, I. (2021). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in osteoarthritis (OA) knee: Correct dose critical for long term clinical efficacy. Scientific reports, 11(1), 3971.
- Nie, L. Y., Zhao, K., Ruan, J., & Xue, J. (2021). Effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 9(3), 2325967120973284.
- Amiri, M. A., Farshidfar, N., Miron, R. J., Dziedzic, A., Hamedani, S., Daneshi, S., & Tayebi, L. (2023). The Potential Therapeutic Effects of Platelet‐Derived Biomaterials on Osteoporosis: A Comprehensive Review of Current Evidence. International journal of biomaterials, 2023(1), 9980349.
- Ostojic, M., Hakam, H. T., Lovrekovic, B., Ramadanov, N., & Prill, R. (2024). Treatment of anterior knee pain due to chondromalacia patellae with platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid in young and middle-aged adults, a cohort study. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 1-8.
- Yessirkepov, M., Fedorchenko, Y., Zimba, O., & Mukanova, U. (2025). Use of platelet-rich plasma in rheumatic diseases. Rheumatology International, 45(1), 1-9.
- Chellamuthu, G., Muthu, S., Khanna, M., & Khanna, V. (2021). “Platelet-rich plasma holds promise in management of rheumatoid arthritis”—systematic review. Rheumatology International, 41(11), 1895-1903.
- Mazzei, N., Hall, A., & Clinton, C. (2023). Treatment of Knee Synovitis from Psoriatic Arthritis with Platelet Rich Plasma Injection. Cooper Rowan Medical Journal, 5(1), 54-57.
