PRP Injections vs. Surgery: How to Know Which Path Is Right for Your Knee or Hip

Key Takeaways

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy concentrates growth factors from your own blood and injects them into an injured or arthritic area to support natural healing.
• PRP is most commonly used for tendon injuries and early-to-moderate osteoarthritis, and it is not a substitute for surgery in every case.
• Most patients notice improvement over four to six weeks, though results vary and benefits can wane after several months.
• Signs that PRP alone is unlikely to be enough include advanced joint damage on imaging, mechanical symptoms like locking, and pain that has already progressed to rest pain.
• Dr. John Redmond offers PRP therapy as part of a comprehensive, individualized approach to joint care in Jacksonville. Request an appointment to discuss whether PRP or surgery is the right next step for you.

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How PRP Injections Work and What They're Used For

Not every patient dealing with joint pain or a soft tissue injury needs surgery. Platelet-rich plasma therapy works by concentrating the growth factors found in your own blood and delivering them precisely to the area where healing is needed. The process itself is straightforward:

1. A small blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm.
2. The blood is placed in a centrifuge and spun for about 10 minutes to separate the platelets from other blood components.
3. The platelet-rich portion is extracted and prepared for injection.
4. The treatment area is numbed with a local anesthetic.
5. PRP is injected into the affected area under ultrasound guidance for precise delivery.

Because the material comes entirely from your own body, the risk of allergic reaction or immune rejection is very low. The entire procedure is performed in the office and typically takes about an hour.

PRP therapy is most commonly used for:

• Tendon injuries: Including patellar tendinitis and Achilles tendinopathy, where concentrated growth factors support tendon repair
• Early-to-moderate osteoarthritis: In the hip or knee, where PRP may help reduce inflammation and slow cartilage breakdown
• Muscle injuries: Tears or strains in large muscle groups, particularly for athletes seeking a faster return to activity
• Ligament injuries: Partial tears or chronic conditions where tissue has been slow to heal on its own

Realistic Expectations for Pain Relief and Recovery Time

Mild soreness at the injection site is normal and may last a few days. Anti-inflammatory medications should be avoided for at least 48 hours afterward, since they can interfere with platelet function, and strenuous activity should be limited during the initial recovery period. Most patients begin to notice improvement over the following four to six weeks as the body's healing response develops.

The research on PRP for knee osteoarthritis is genuinely mixed, and Dr. Redmond believes in giving patients an honest picture rather than overselling the treatment. According to a Mayo Clinic Press review of PRP evidence, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons considers PRP effective for low-to-moderate grade knee osteoarthritis and certain chronic tendon injuries, though some high-quality trials have found it no more effective than a placebo injection for knee or ankle osteoarthritis. Most orthopedic surgeons continue to view PRP as a reasonable tool for appropriate patients, but results vary, and treatment benefits for osteoarthritis often diminish after six to nine months. Many patients need a series of two to three injections spaced several weeks apart, particularly for osteoarthritis or more chronic conditions, rather than a single treatment.

Signs PRP Is Unlikely to Be Enough on Its Own

PRP works best as an early-to-moderate intervention, not a solution for advanced joint damage. Signs that PRP alone may not provide adequate relief include:

• X-rays or MRI showing advanced arthritis with significant loss of joint space or bone-on-bone contact
• Mechanical symptoms such as locking, catching, or a joint that gives way
• Pain that occurs at rest or disrupts sleep, rather than only with activity
• A structural problem, such as a large labral tear or significant cartilage defect, that is unlikely to respond to a biologic injection alone
• Previous PRP treatment that provided only brief or minimal relief

PRP vs. Surgical Options: How Dr. Redmond Decides

Dr. Redmond evaluates each patient's imaging, symptom pattern, and treatment history before recommending a path forward. For patients with early-stage joint changes or a tendon or soft tissue injury, PRP is often a reasonable first step. For patients with advanced arthritis or a structural problem better suited to a mechanical fix, options like hip preservation, hip replacement, or knee replacement are discussed honestly, without pushing PRP as a stand-in for a procedure it is unlikely to replace.

Ready to Discuss Your Options?

Whether PRP, surgery, or a combination of treatments makes sense for you depends on your specific diagnosis and goals. Dr. John Redmond will give you a clear, honest assessment so you can make the decision with confidence.

Dr. Redmond sees patients at his Southside and Beaches locations in Jacksonville. Request an appointment to talk through whether PRP injections or a surgical option is the right next step for your knee or hip.

Frequently Asked Questions