What Is PRP?
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a concentrated plasma preparation obtained from the patient's own blood using aseptic technique to separate red blood cells and white blood cells, yielding a plasma concentrate rich in platelets and growth factors.
PRP contains a variety of growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These growth factors promote the repair and regeneration of various tissues, making PRP one of the most promising treatments in regenerative medicine.
The Challenge of Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease caused by multiple factors leading to cartilage damage and delamination, with joint pain as its primary symptom. Currently, over 100 million people in China suffer from knee osteoarthritis, experiencing persistent pain and joint stiffness with a high disability rate.
Tissues within the knee joint have limited blood supply. As we age, articular cartilage damage progressively worsens, and damaged cartilage cannot regenerate. Without cartilage protection, bones directly rub and impact against each other during bending and walking. Since the periosteum and surrounding synovium are densely innervated, this friction produces significant pain.
How PRP Works in Knee Joint Treatment
- Stimulates endogenous hyaluronic acid secretion: PRP stimulates synovial cells to secrete endogenous hyaluronic acid, alleviating joint pain.
- Promotes meniscal repair: When the meniscus undergoes degenerative injury, PRP acts on meniscal cells to upregulate meniscal viability and promote repair.
- Repairs articular cartilage: PRP promotes chondrocyte proliferation and extracellular matrix secretion (which accounts for 90% of articular cartilage composition), thereby repairing damaged cartilage. Additionally, it can modulate intra-articular inflammatory mediators to achieve anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Treatment Procedure
- Blood collection: Approximately 30cc of blood is drawn from a vein under aseptic technique
- Centrifugation: The blood is centrifuged at appropriate speeds to separate platelets and tissue growth-promoting factors, producing a sufficiently concentrated platelet-rich plasma at optimal concentration
- Targeted injection: The physician injects the concentrated platelets into the injured, inflamed, or degenerated site to help relieve pain and promote tissue recovery
Post-Treatment Considerations
During the first 48 hours after PRP injection, the injection site may feel sore and tight. Cold compresses are recommended to alleviate discomfort. If pain intensifies, acetaminophen may be taken. NSAIDs and corticosteroids are strictly prohibited, as they may reduce the effectiveness of the concentrated platelet injection. Additionally, if the injection site shows signs of pain, swelling, redness, or warmth, immediate medical attention is advised.
Contraindications
The following patient groups are not recommended for PRP treatment:
- Patients with platelet disorders or abnormalities
- Patients with blood-borne infections
- Patients with fever
- Patients with localized infection at the injury site
- Patients with a history of cancer, particularly blood cancer and bone cancer
The following conditions require caution or physician discretion:
- Patients who have received corticosteroid injections in the treatment area within the past month
- Patients with a history of autoimmune disease
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Patients with bleeding disorders (e.g., allergic purpura, hemophilia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), leukemia, or sepsis
This content is for educational purposes only. Please consult a qualified physician for specific treatment plans.