Injections

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections use a sample of the patient’s own blood, which is separated with a centrifuge to isolate the platelet rich plasma.

While platelet-rich plasma therapy can be an effective treatment for arthritis, there are some drawbacks to PRP, namely a lack of sufficient research into the topic.

A platelet-rich plasma injection can be used to treat arthritis. The injection is prepared using a centrifuge to separate platelet-rich from platelet-poor plasma.

Although stem cell therapy is not a standard practice, many doctors are using the procedure to treat arthritis in the knee and other joints.

Cortisone, hyaluronic acid, PRP, stem cell, and prolotherapy are all therapeutic injections that may provide relief from knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

Cortisone is a man-made version of the hormone cortisol which comes in oral, injectable, and topical forms to treat inflammation caused by various conditions.

Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance found in joints, skin, and eyes. It can also be commercially produced from bacteria and animal tissues for medical purposes.

While cortisone shots can ease joint inflammation and arthritis pain, repeated injections can damage soft tissue. A treatment plan will set limits accordingly.

Several therapeutic injections may be recommended to help alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms, with a patient's circumstances deciding which one is best for them.

A patient may be a candidate for platelet-rich plasma therapy if pain effects their daily activities and other treatments have failed.