IS KNEE PAIN KEEPING YOU FROM DOING THE THINGS YOU LOVE?

Experiencing pain in the knee joints? Don't let those aches and pains set you back! There are many options when it comes to pain relief, such as:

 

Painkillers

Knee braces

Physical therapy

Steroid injections

 

If you still have pain despite these methods, keep scrolling to find out what more you can do!

WHAT IS PRP?

Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) injection is a form of regenerative medicine, produced from the patient’s own blood. The platelets and plasma portion of the blood are rich in growth factors that help with tissue regeneration and healing. 

First, a blood sample is obtained from the patient. The blood is then separated via a centrifuge into its many components. Platelet-rich plasma is collected, treated, and delivered via injection into the painful knee.

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HOW DOES PRP HELP WITH KNEE PAIN

 

☐ Slowing down osteoarthritis progression by reducing inflammation1

 

☐ Stimulation of new cartilage formation2

 

☐ Easing joint friction by the production of joint fluid3

 

☐ Alteration of pain receptors through protein production to reduce pain sensation4

 
Reference:
  1. Van Buul GM, Koevoet WL, Kops N, et al. Platelet-rich plasma releasate inhibits inflammatory processes in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Am J Sports Med. 2011;39(11):2362-2370. doi:10.1177/0363546511419278
  2. Drengk A, Zapf A, Stürmer EK, Stürmer KM, Frosch KH. Influence of platelet-rich plasma on chondrogenic differentiation and proliferation of chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells. Cells Tissues Organs. 2009;189(5):317-326. doi:10.1159/000151290
  3. Anitua E, Sánchez M, Nurden AT, et al. Platelet-released growth factors enhance the secretion of hyaluronic acid and induce hepatocyte growth factor production by synovial fibroblasts from arthritic patients. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2007;46(12):1769-1772. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kem234
  4. Descalzi F, Ulivi V, Cancedda R, et al. Platelet-rich plasma exerts antinociceptive activity by a peripheral endocannabinoid-related mechanism. Tissue Eng Part A. 2013;19(19-20):2120-2129. doi:10.1089/ten.TEA.2012.0557
 

 

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Does it really work?

Intra-articular PRP injections produce superior outcomes when compared with CS injections for symptomatic management of knee OA, including improved pain management, less joint stiffness and better participation in exercise/sporting activity at 12 months…

McLarnon, M., Heron, N. Intra-articular platelet-rich plasma injections versus intra-articular corticosteroid injections for symptomatic management of knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 22, 550 (2021). doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04308-3

PRP injections are beneficial for pain relief and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis.

Nie L, Zhao K, Ruan J, Xue J. Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. March 2021. doi:10.1177/2325967120973284

85.7% of the patients (who received PRP injections) did not undergo total knee arthroplasty during the five-year follow-up.

Sánchez M, Jorquera C, Sánchez P, et al. Platelet-rich plasma injections delay the need for knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study and survival analysis. Int Orthop. 2021;45(2):401-410. doi:10.1007/s00264-020-04669-9

Who is Dr Sean?

 

DR SEAN LEO PIEN MING

MBBS, MRCS (Edin), MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho), Orthopaedic Surgeon, Singapore (Knee and Lower Limb Surgery, Sports Surgery)

Dr Sean Leo is an Orthopaedic surgeon practicing in Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore. He specialises in knee and lower limb orthopaedic conditions. Dr Sean is committed to providing state of the art, comprehensive and personalized care for each of his patients.

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Can PRP help me?

Feeling burdened by your knee pain?

Tried everything to no avail?

Book an appointment with Dr Sean to find out if PRP is right for you!