What Joint Pain Conditions Can PRP Injections Treat?

Key Takeaways

• PRP injections, short for platelet-rich plasma injections, are most often used for tendon injuries, early-to-moderate hip or knee osteoarthritis, muscle tears, and partial or chronic ligament injuries.
• PRP tends to work best on tissue that has a limited natural blood supply and a slow healing response.
• The research is stronger for certain chronic tendon problems and mixed for osteoarthritis, so honest expectations matter.
• PRP is generally not the right fit for advanced bone-on-bone arthritis, broken bones, or fully torn tissue that needs surgery.
• Dr. John Redmond is a Mayo Clinic-trained orthopedic surgeon who offers PRP injections in Jacksonville, Florida, at his Southside and Beaches offices, so request an appointment to find out if your condition may respond to PRP.

APPOINTMENT

Why PRP Is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Treatment

PRP uses a concentrated sample of your own platelets, which carry natural growth factors that help tissue heal. It can be a helpful non-surgical option, but it does not work the same way for every problem.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) OrthoInfo guide to platelet-rich plasma lists several factors that can affect how well PRP works:

• The part of the body being treated
• Your overall health
• Whether the injury is acute (sudden, like from a fall) or chronic (developing over time)
• How the PRP is prepared

At Dr. Redmond's PRP practice, PRP is generally most effective when the injured tissue has a limited blood supply and a slow natural healing response.

PRP for Tendonitis: Patellar Tendinitis and Achilles Tendinopathy

Tendons connect muscle to bone. Tendinitis means a tendon is irritated or inflamed. Tendinopathy is a broader term for long-term tendon damage.

Dr. Redmond uses PRP for tendon injuries such as:

• Patellar tendinitis: Pain in the tendon just below the kneecap, sometimes called 'jumper's knee'
• Achilles tendinopathy: Pain and damage in the large tendon at the back of the heel
• Similar overuse injuries: Tendon problems caused by repeated stress over time

In these cases, the concentrated growth factors may support tendon repair and calm chronic inflammation. Many patients see improvement after a single injection, especially for tendon conditions.

What the Research Says About PRP for Tendonitis

AAOS OrthoInfo reports that PRP is effective for some chronic tendon injuries, especially tennis elbow. It calls PRP for chronic Achilles and patellar tendon problems promising, but says it is too early to say PRP works better than traditional treatment for these conditions.

PRP for Osteoarthritis in the Hip or Knee

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the 'wear and tear' type of arthritis. It happens when the cartilage cushioning your joint slowly breaks down.

Dr. Redmond offers PRP for early-to-moderate osteoarthritis in the hip or knee, where it may help reduce inflammation. For osteoarthritis, a series of two to three injections spaced several weeks apart may be recommended.

An Honest Look at PRP for Osteoarthritis

Expert groups do not agree on PRP for osteoarthritis:

• AAOS OrthoInfo says a growing body of research supports PRP for low- to moderate-grade knee osteoarthritis, and some studies show results lasting up to two years.
• The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation strongly recommend against PRP for knee and hip osteoarthritis in their 2019 osteoarthritis management guideline. They point to the lack of a standard way to prepare PRP, which makes it hard to know exactly what is being injected.

This mixed evidence is why Dr. Redmond gives each patient an honest assessment rather than a sales pitch.

PRP for Muscle Tears and Strains in Larger Muscle Groups

Dr. Redmond uses PRP for tears or strains in the large muscle groups. It is especially common for athletes who want to get back to their sport faster.

AAOS OrthoInfo notes that PRP has been used to treat athletes with common sports injuries, such as pulled hamstring muscles in the thigh. It also cautions that more scientific evidence is needed before experts can say how well PRP works for many conditions.

PRP for Chronic or Partial Ligament Injuries

Ligaments are tough bands that connect bone to bone and keep joints stable. Dr. Redmond uses PRP for partial ligament tears and chronic ligament problems where the tissue has been slow to heal on its own.

The word 'partial' is important. A ligament that is only partly torn may still be able to heal with support. A fully torn ligament is a different problem.

Conditions Where PRP Is Generally Not the Right Fit

PRP is unlikely to be the best choice in these situations:

• Advanced arthritis: Dr. Redmond offers PRP for early-to-moderate arthritis. When arthritis is severe, joint replacement is the most effective surgical option.
• Broken bones: AAOS OrthoInfo reports that PRP has shown no significant benefit for speeding the healing of fractures.
• Completely torn tendons: AAOS OrthoInfo notes that a fully torn heel cord may need surgery to repair it.
• Certain blood conditions: The Cleveland Clinic overview of PRP injections notes that people with certain blood conditions may not be good candidates.
• Expecting a guarantee: Cleveland Clinic states that some people benefit from PRP and others do not, and providers cannot predict with certainty who will respond.

PRP Conditions at a Glance

How Dr. Redmond Decides if PRP Fits Your Condition

Dr. Redmond looks at your specific diagnosis and gives you an honest opinion about whether PRP is likely to help. He usually explores non-surgical options first. Through his hip and knee arthritis treatment program, those options can include:

• Anti-inflammatory medicines
• Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections for targeted, temporary relief
• Physical therapy
• Activity changes and weight management
• Regenerative options such as PRP and stem cell injections

Learn if Your Tendon, Muscle, or Joint Problem May Respond to PRP

PRP is most often used for tendon injuries, early-to-moderate osteoarthritis, muscle strains, and partial ligament injuries. It is usually not the answer for advanced arthritis, fractures, or full tears.

To find out where your condition fits, schedule a visit with Dr. Redmond at John Redmond MD. He can review your options, including PRP injections and other arthritis treatments. Request an appointment at the Southside or Beaches office, or call (904) 675-4000.

Frequently Asked Questions