🦵💉 INJ PRP for Knee Joint (Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy)

🔬 What is PRP?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentration of platelets derived from your own blood. These platelets are rich in growth factors that help repair tissues, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

👉 Commonly used for:

• Knee osteoarthritis 🦵
• Ligament injuries 🤕
• Tendon problems (like patellar tendinitis)

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🧪 How PRP is Prepared

1. 🩸 Blood Collection
   • About 10–30 ml of your blood is drawn.
2. ⚙️ Centrifugation
   • Blood is spun in a machine to separate:
     • Red blood cells 🔴
     • Platelet-poor plasma 💧
     • Platelet-rich plasma 🟡 (the useful part)
3. 💉 PRP Extraction
   • The concentrated PRP is collected in a syringe.

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🦵 Injection Procedure (Step-by-Step)

1. 🧼 Preparation
   • Skin over knee is cleaned with antiseptic.
   • Sterile precautions maintained.
2. 🧊 Local Anesthesia (optional)
   • Sometimes given to reduce pain.
3. 📍 Injection
   • PRP is injected into:
     • Joint space (intra-articular) OR
     • Around ligaments/tendons
   • Often guided by ultrasound 📡 for accuracy.
4. 🩹 Post-injection
   • Small dressing applied.

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⚙️ Mechanism of Action

PRP works by releasing:

• 🧬 Growth factors (PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF)
• 🔄 Stimulates tissue repair
• 🔥 Reduces inflammation
• 🧱 Promotes cartilage healing (limited but helpful)

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👍 Indications

• 🦵 Early to moderate osteoarthritis
• 🤕 Ligament sprain (ACL, MCL)
• 🏃 Tendon injuries (jumper’s knee)
• 🩹 Chronic knee pain not responding to meds

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🚫 Contraindications

• ❌ Active infection
• ❌ Blood disorders (low platelets)
• ❌ Cancer in the area
• ❌ Severe osteoarthritis (limited benefit)

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🌟 Benefits

• 🧬 Uses your own blood (low risk of reaction)
• 💊 Reduces need for painkillers
• 🛠️ Promotes natural healing
• ⏳ Long-lasting relief (months to years)

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⚠️ Side Effects

• 😖 Mild pain at injection site
• 🔴 Swelling
• 🟡 Temporary stiffness
• ⚠️ Rare: infection

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🧘 Post-Procedure Care

• ❌ Avoid heavy activity for 48–72 hrs
• 🧊 Ice packs for swelling
• 💊 Avoid NSAIDs (they reduce PRP effect)
• 🏃 Gradual physiotherapy after a few days

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📅 Number of Sessions

• Usually 1–3 injections
• Spaced 2–4 weeks apart

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⏳ Results & Recovery

• Improvement starts in 2–6 weeks
• Full benefit in 3–6 months
• Effect may last 6–18 months

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🆚 PRP vs Steroid Injection

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💰 Cost (India Approx)

• ₹4,000 – ₹15,000 per injection 💸
  (depending on hospital & technique)

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🧠 Key Takeaway

👉 PRP is a regenerative therapy that helps the knee heal naturally rather than just masking pain. Best results are seen in early-stage joint problems.