While some people will experience immediate relief from knee pain that is associated with arthritis, pain relief will take longer for some. However, it is generally experienced within the first 48 hours. While healing can take a few years to occur, the amount of healing that does occur, and the rate it occurs, are based upon each individual case. Often times, PRP therapy leads to increased pain for a day or two with the inflammation, and then relief “kicks in”.
Once the PRP treatment is provided to the patient, pain relief can last up to one year, but the additional treatments are generally provided at three to six months. By getting the treatments within the six-month window, the PRP treatment is more successful for keeping pain away. There are several recent studies that have come out showing the benefits of PRP therapy for various conditions.
The Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC performed a knee arthritis study with PRP and showed significant pain relief, functional improvement and cartilage preservation with only one injection. A study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine evaluated PRP therapy for chronic tennis elbow. Over 95% of patients were able to avoid the need for surgery and achieve relief.
Another study reported that PRP can be more effective than cortisone injections for short-term and long-term relief of severe chronic plantar fasciitis. In one study, researchers demonstrated a 94% “return to play” for athletes who underwent PRP injections for partial ulnar collateral ligament tears.
Studies continue to come out in favor of PRP therapy versus traditional treatments. For instance, a study this year in the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation showed dramatic pain relief and functional improvement for back pain due to degenerative disc disease. The results were impressive and sustained for over a year.
