Introduction

Knee pain, often associated with conditions like osteoarthritis, can significantly impact one’s quality of life. While various treatments exist, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has gained attention as a regenerative option. In this blog, we delve into the effectiveness of PRP for knee pain, focusing on the optimum platelet concentration, the need for standardized preparation, long-term clinical results, and how Alleviate Pain Clinic maintains the highest standards in PRP therapy.

Optimum Concentration of Platelets in PRP :

The success of PRP therapy hinges on the concentration of platelets in the injected solution. Platelets are rich in growth factors that promote tissue healing and regeneration. A study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research and Therapy suggests that an optimal platelet concentration significantly influences the therapeutic effect of PRP. Too low a concentration may yield minimal benefits, while excessively high concentrations may lead to potential side effects.

Name (manufacturer, country) Approval System Circuit Procedure Activator Composition PEF/WBC/RBC Indications
Accelerate PRP Sport (Exactech, UK) CE M SC SS Thrombin 3–8× Orthopedics, sports medicine, pain, cosmetic
ACP (Arthrex, USA) FDA; CE M C SS – 2–3×/no WBCs/no RBCs Orthopedics
Angel (Arthrex, USA) FDA; CE A C SS – 2–18×/custom WBCs Orthopedics
BioCUE (Biomet, USA) FDA; CE A C SS – Equivalent to GPS II Mix with bone graft
Cascade (MTF/CONMED, USA) FDA M SC SS CaCl2 5× Sports medicine, wound healing
Centrepid (CellMedix, USA) FDA M SC DS – 5×/2–3× WBCs Mix with bone graft
Cyclone (Alliance Partners, USA) FDA NR NR NR – Equivalent to Pure PRP II Mix with bone graft
Dr. PRP (Dr. PRP USA LCC, USA) FDA; CE M SC DS – 15×/high WBCs/low RBCs Ophthalmology, orthopedics, sports medicine, cosmetics, pain
GLO PRP (Glotech/Glofinn Oy, S Korea) CE M SC DS – 4–8× Orthopedics, wound healing, ophthalmology, cosmetic
GPS II and III (Biomet, USA) FDA; CE M SC SS – 3–9.3×/5× WBCs Orthopedics, surgeries, wound healing
Kyocera Medical PRP Kit (Kyocera, Japan) CE M SC DS CaCl2 7.8×/high WBCs/high RBCs Not specified
Magellan (Isto Biologics, USA) FDA A C DS Thrombin CaCl2 2–13× Not specified
Peak (Depuy, USA) FDA A C SS – 8×/4–6× WBCs/(1/3) RBCs Mix with bone graft
PRGF-Endoret (BTI, Spain) FDA; CE M C SS CaCl2 2–3× Oral surgery, dermatology, cosmetic, wound healing, ophthalmology, OA, orthopedics
Pure PRP II (Emcyte, USA) FDA; CE M C DS – 6–16×/ 3–7× monocytes/no RBCs Orthopedics, surgeries
Regenexx-SCP (Regenex, USA) FDA M C SS – 20–40×/low WBCs/low RBCs Orthopedics, sports med., pain
RegenKit (RegenLab, Switzerland) FDA; CE M SC SS -/Ca gluconate 1–2×/1.5×103 WBCs/no RBCs Orthopedics, OA
Res-Q 60 PRP (ThermoGenesis, USA) FDA SA C SS – Equivalent to Pure PRP II Mix with bone graft, cardiovascular
Selphyl (Cascade Medical, USA) FDA; CE M SC SS CaCl2 1–2× Direct injection; Mix with bone grafts
SmartPReP2 (Harvest/Terumo, Japan) FDA; CE SA SC DS – 4–8×/3–4× WBCs/1× RBCs Orthopedics
TropoCells (Estar Medical, Israel) FDA; CE M O SS – 4–5×/ no WBCs/no RBCs Orthopedics, wound healing, dentistry, ophthalmology.

A, automatic; ACP, Autologous Conditioned Plasma; C, closed; CE, European Union CE mark; DS, double spin; F, filtration; FDA, United States Food and Drug Administration; GPS, Gravitational Platelet Separation System; M, manual; NR, not reported; O, open; OA, osteoarthritis; PEF, platelet enrichment factor [(platelets in PRP)/(platelets in whole blood)]; PRP, platelet-rich plasma; RBC, red blood cell; SA, semi-automatic; SC, semi-closed; SS, single spin; WBC, white blood cell.

Standardization of Preparation

To ensure consistent outcomes, the preparation of PRP must be standardized. The Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma underscores the importance of establishing guidelines for PRP preparation to avoid variability in platelet concentration and composition. Standardized protocols minimize the risk of inconsistent results and enhance the reliability of PRP therapy.

Long-Term Clinical Results

The efficacy of PRP for knee pain has been evaluated through numerous clinical studies. A study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that PRP therapy significantly improved pain scores and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, a systematic review in the Journal of Arthroscopy indicated that PRP provided long-term pain relief and improved joint function.

Alleviate Pain Clinic's Commitment to Excellence

At Alleviate Pain Clinic, maintaining the highest standard of PRP preparation is paramount. Our approach is characterized by:

  1. Precise Image-Guided Technique : Accurate injection placement is crucial for optimal outcomes. Alleviate Pain Clinic employs image-guided techniques, such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound, to ensure precise delivery of PRP to the affected area.
  2. Fellowship-Trained Doctors : Our team comprises fellowship-trained doctors with specialized expertise in pain management. Their advanced training ensures a thorough understanding of the science behind PRP therapy and the nuances of administering the treatment effectively.
  3. Regular Laboratory Checks : We adhere to rigorous protocols, including regular laboratory checks of PRP samples to verify platelet concentration. This ensures that each injection contains the optimal concentration of platelets for therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusion

PRP therapy holds great promise for alleviating knee pain and promoting tissue healing. The optimal concentration of platelets, standardized preparation, and long-term clinical results underscore its effectiveness. Alleviate Pain Clinic stands at the forefront of PRP therapy, emphasizing precision through image-guided techniques, the expertise of fellowship-trained doctors, and meticulous laboratory checks. If you’re seeking a reliable and science-backed solution for your knee pain, PRP therapy at Alleviate Pain Clinic offers a path to a pain-free and active life.

References

  1. Castro FP Jr, et al. Platelet rich plasma in orthopaedic sports medicine
  2. A Randomized Evaluator Blinded Study of Effect of Microneedling in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Pilot StudyRachita Dhurat, MS Sukesh, Ganesh Avhad, Ameet Dandale, Anjali Pal, and Poonam Pund
  3. Platelet-rich plasma: new clinical application: a pilot study for treatment of jumper’s knee 1, Giuseppe Filardo, Marco Delcogliano, Mirco Lo Presti, Alessandro Russo, Alice Bondi, Alessandro Di Martino, Annarita Cenacchi, Pier Maria Fornasari, Maurilio Marcacci
  4. Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and meta-AElizaveta Konnalysis of Current Evidence in Randomized Controlled TrialsJiabao Jiang, † Fei Xing, † Rong Luo, and Ming Liu
  5. Platelet-rich plasma in osteoarthritis treatment: review of current evidence Lucía Gato-Calvo, Joana Magalhaes, Cristina Ruiz-Romero, Francisco J. Blanco, and Elena F. BurgueraTher Adv Chronic Dis. 2019; 10: 2040622319825567.Published online 2019 Feb 19. doi: 10.1177/2040622319825567

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