Joint Injections - PRP / HA / Steroids

Platelet Rich Plasma – or ‘PRP’, as it is more commonly known, isa pioneering biological treatment for musculo-skeletal problems such as sports injuries and osteoarthritis. 

The platelet rich plasma is separated from a blood sample, taken from your arm, by a process called centrifuge which spins the blood at high speeds. For more info, please visit theprpclinic.co.uk

PRP Works by releasing different growth factors and cytokines, resulting in the healing and preservation of the tissues injected.

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PRP Injection Therapy for Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating and progressive condition which is characterised by the slow, painful ongoing destruction of cartilage in the joint, as well as inflammation and damage to the tissues surrounding the joint.There is no cure for osteoarthritis and the treatment currently is aimed at managing the symptoms for as long as possible, which includes weight loss, physiotherapy, exercise and injections such as steroid or hyaluronic acid.

PRP has emerged as a leading joint preservation treatment for OA.There is now lots of evidence to support the use of PRP in OA.

PRP  is highly effective in reducing inflammation and furthermore, helps to slow down and stop the progression of osteoarthritis by down regulating the effect of the MMPs (enzymes that break down cartilage). PRP helps to improve the function of the chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and the production of healthy matrix leading to better cartilage and joint health. 

We aim to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis and preserve the cartilage that is remaining in the joint.

PRP injections can be used in the early, mild and moderate stages where evidence supports benefit, however, is not appropriate to have PRP treatment when the joint has severe changes.  

PRP injections have been found to be more effective that hyaluronic acid and steroid injections.

PRP works best in grade I-III. It is not effective in grade IV. Grade IV OA is best treated with surgery. (for more information on this, please see joint replacement surgery)

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Hyaluronic acid injections are also an effective method of treating knee joint pain and OA. These work by providing a lubricant and cushioning effect in the knee joint as well nourishing the cartilage.

 Types available:

• Ostenil
• Ostenil Plus
• Durolane
• Synvisc / Synvisc one

The orthopaedic community has been using steroid injections for decades, and this still has a role to play when PRP can’t be used. However, steroids have been shown to upregulate MMPs and their action, causing them to work harder and break down the cartilage even faster. This then in fact accelerates OA and results in joint replacement surgery much earlier than necessary. 

We try to avoid the use of steroid injections.  

However, steroids can be effective for pain relief in severe OA and inflammatory conditions when joint replacement surgery may be too high risk.