“Will PRP Help My Osteoarthritis?”
This is a question our Arthritis Assist team is hearing more often. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP injections for osteoarthritis) are sometimes promoted as a promising treatment for joint pain, but what does the evidence actually say?
Our advisors are receiving more calls from people asking whether PRP injections could help their osteoarthritis. Many people hear about PRP through the media, private clinics, or from others who have tried it, and want to understand whether it is something worth considering.
PRP is a treatment made from a person’s own blood. A small sample of blood is taken and spun in a centrifuge (a machine that separates blood components). This process concentrates the platelets — the blood cells involved in healing — into a smaller amount of plasma, which is then injected into the affected joint.
Platelets release proteins and growth factors involved in tissue repair and inflammation regulation. The theory behind PRP is that increasing these healing factors in a joint may help reduce pain and improve function.
PRP has gained attention in recent years, particularly for knee osteoarthritis. Some early studies suggested it may improve pain and function for some people. However, research findings remain mixed.
Professor David Hunter from the University of Sydney has noted that earlier studies on PRP were limited and sometimes produced mixed results, highlighting the need for more high-quality research to better understand how effective the treatment may be.
Research led by Professor Kim Bennell from the University of Melbourne has also found that, in some well-designed trials, PRP injections were not significantly more effective than saline injections, which has contributed to ongoing discussion about its overall benefit.
More recent reviews suggest PRP may provide short- to medium-term pain relief (around 6–12 months) for some people with knee osteoarthritis. However, it does not reverse structural joint changes and is not considered a treatment that alters the underlying disease.
Most research focuses on knee osteoarthritis, with less evidence available for hips and other joints.
Current expert guidance continues to emphasise that the foundation of osteoarthritis management remains:
- Regular exercise and strengthening
- Weight management where appropriate
- Education and self-management
- Support from physiotherapists or other health professionals
PRP may be considered by some people as an additional treatment, but it should not replace these evidence-based approaches.
If you are considering PRP injections, it is important to talk with your healthcare professional about the potential benefits, limitations, and costs so you can decide whether it is the right option for you.
Living with osteoarthritis can be challenging at times, but support and practical strategies can make a real difference.
Contact our Arthritis Assist team
If you would like to talk through treatment options for osteoarthritis, our Arthritis Assist team is here to help. Call 0800 663 463 or email info@arthritis.org.nz
