The Truth About PRP Injections & Cartilage Regeneration

Recent studies suggest that PRP injections can improve pain and symptoms due to knee cartilage lesions, cartilage defects, and chondromalacia. What’s even more exciting is that there may be evidence that platelet rich plasma can also facilitate cartilage healing.

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► ABOUT ME

Jeffrey Peng MD is a nonoperative orthopedist and sports medicine specialist. He focuses on maximizing non-surgical treatments for sports injuries and orthopedic conditions. He specializes in using orthobiologics and ultrasound guided minimally invasive techniques to treat osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, and musculoskeletal disorders.

Dr. Peng is board certified in sports medicine and family medicine. He completed residency with the Stanford family medicine residency program and completed his sports medicine training with the Stanford primary care sports medicine fellowship in San Jose. He is an active faculty member for both programs and is excited about training the next generation of physicians.

Dr. Peng’s sports medicine clinic is located in Campbell, California.

► Disclaimer

My content reflects my own opinion and does not represent the views or opinions of my employers or hospital systems I am affiliated with. They are meant for educational purposes only. They do not substitute for the medical advice of a physician. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding your health.

[magda]

Thanks to you, doctor, I am considering PRP injections for my osteoarthritis in the near future. You have convinced me to try this treatment option. Greetings from the other end of the world. Poland Europe

[azrealtornick]

How does PRF compare with PRP for knee osteoarthritis?

[BuzzBee-etnp]

Another thing that is weird is I was scheduled for a knee operation and had to cancel because the general doctor said they didn’t know how to clear me for surgery. They said I should see a cardiologist and I went to the office in the same building and they said they couldn’t see me for 2 months so I gave up. I even asked them even if it was for surgery. I’m surprised the knee facility doesn’t have doctors who will clear someone especially since I’ve never had a cardiac problem. I also never met the doctor before the surgery because that’s not the way they do it there. I’m going to look into a different place because that gave me weird vibes that he didn’t want to meet the patients beforehand.

[gurmeethkaur]

Hi Dr. Jeff
I m 64 yrs . 1 knee did tkr. Can prp be taken if knee is not in pain.? Can a cancer survivor take Prp? Pls advise

[drsadvocate]

Dr. Peng, PRGF is a PRP technology that removes 100% of white blood cells and then all growth factors are activated. As a patient, I have seen this make a big difference for OA and joint injuries.

[jairivasmen]

Intraosseous inj, fluoroscopy guided, is also interesing for OCL and Moderate to severe OA. Just as confirmed by the people using and publishing woth PRGF

[BuzzBee-etnp]

This is really great. I’ve been in knee pain for 30 years and have been to several doctors but they never recommended this. Is that because insurance doesn’t pay for it?

[newnew-dc]

how about dr stump study . is it possible to go forward on human clinical trials

[ScottSummerill]

Late to post but, how long do the injected platelets live? I just had PRP and was curious since the supposed beneficial results can take weeks to develop. According to Google platelets only stick around for ten days. So why are the results so delayed? Would appreciate more insight on this. Thanks.

[ScottSummerill]

BUT unless you identify and address the underlying reason for the arthritis the disease will continue. Metabolic inflammation? Bio mechanical fault? Flooding the area with platelets will likely aid in healing the area but you gotta fix the problem.

[antonionesci]

doctor how about PRF? isn't it better than PRP?

[gurmeethkaur]

If there is no knee pain, can precaution be taken by injecting PRP. I did my 1 knee Tkr surgery . Can cancer survivor take PRP? Pls advise.

[geoffwhite]

does this case report suggest that for healthy middle aged adults WITHOUT symptomatic OA, that they should perhaps consider getting preventative PRP injections once every year or so to PREVENT the development of OA?

e.g. for those with a strong family history of knee or hip OA

[ScottSummerill]

Are the insurance companies listening?

[Ian-wneb]

Doc, where does the doctor get the plasma? Is it from the spinal lower back? Is that not dangerous for my 84 year old mama. She has ckd and diabetic

[gurmeethkaur]

Hi Dr. Jeff. How come there is no reply from u.?

[thanosfisherman]

PRP did nothing for my shoulder arthritis so i switched to HA

[James-luhb]

It works but it is expensive the average joe can't afford it unfortunately.

[hhspore]

Is it possible to drizzle this sauce over cooked salmon for some people who don't eat uncooked meats. Will the dish taste weird ?