PRP Therapy for Joint Pain

If you suffer from chronic joint pain due to conditions like osteoarthritis or tendon injuries, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy offers a promising, non-surgical treatment option. By harnessing the natural healing power of your own blood, PRP injections aim to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and promote long-term tissue repair within the affected joint or tendon.

At PRP London Clinic, Dr. Hans provides expert PRP injections, potentially with ultrasound guidance for enhanced precision, to help patients regain mobility and improve their quality of life.

When PRP is injected directly into an injured or degenerated joint (like the knee or shoulder) or tendon (like the Achilles or elbow tendons), the concentrated growth factors initiate a localized healing response:

• Reduces Inflammation: Growth factors help modulate the inflammatory process, a major source of pain in conditions like arthritis and tendonitis.
• Stimulates Repair Cells: Attracts and activates stem cells and other reparative cells to the site of injury.
• Promotes Tissue Regeneration: Encourages the growth of new cartilage, tendon fibres, ligaments, and other tissues, potentially slowing down degenerative processes.
• Pain Signalling Modulation: May alter pain signals within the joint.
• Improves Lubrication: Can stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, improving joint lubrication.

The goal is to create an optimal environment for your body to heal the underlying cause of pain and dysfunction.

PRP injections administered by Dr. Hans can be beneficial for a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Osteoarthritis: Particularly knee, hip, and shoulder arthritis (mild to moderate stages often respond best).
• Tendon Injuries (Tendonitis/Tendinopathy): Such as tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis), rotator cuff tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, and patellar tendonitis.
• Ligament Sprains: Certain partial tears or chronic sprains.
• Plantar Fasciitis: Chronic heel pain.
• Other Soft Tissue Injuries: Muscle strains or tears.

A thorough diagnosis and assessment during your consultation are essential to determine if PRP is appropriate for your specific condition.

Receiving a PRP injection for a joint or tendon involves:

1. Consultation & Assessment: Dr. Hans reviews your medical history, imaging (like X-rays or MRI if available), performs a physical examination, and discusses the suitability and potential benefits of PRP for your condition.
2. Blood Draw & PRP Preparation: A sample of your blood is drawn and processed using a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets.
3. Site Preparation: The skin over the target joint or tendon is cleaned and sterilised. Local anaesthetic is typically injected to numb the area thoroughly.
4. PRP Injection: Using sterile technique, Dr. Hans injects the prepared PRP directly into the affected joint space or tendon sheath. For certain injections, **ultrasound guidance** may be used (£1200 option) to ensure highly accurate placement of the PRP, which can be crucial for specific joints or tendons.
5. Post-Injection Care: The area is bandaged. You'll receive specific instructions regarding rest, activity modification (often crucial in the initial period), icing, and follow-up.

The procedure itself takes about 60 minutes, including preparation time.

Unlike corticosteroid injections which provide rapid but often temporary relief, PRP works by promoting actual tissue healing, so results develop more gradually:

• Initial Weeks (1-4): Some patients experience a temporary increase in discomfort as the inflammatory healing response begins. Activity modification is important.
• Early Improvement (4-12 Weeks): Gradual reduction in pain and improvement in function are often noticed during this period.
• Significant Benefit (3-6 Months): More substantial pain relief and functional gains are typically experienced as tissue repair progresses.
• Long-Term Effects (6+ Months): Continued improvement may occur. The longevity of results varies depending on the condition, severity, and individual factors.

The number of injections needed is assessed individually by Dr. Hans; sometimes a single injection is sufficient, while other conditions may benefit from a series of 2-3 injections spaced several weeks apart.

For certain joint or tendon injections, using ultrasound guidance (£1200 per session) offers significant advantages. Real-time ultrasound imaging allows Dr. Hans to visualize the needle's path and precisely target the injection into the exact location within the joint space or tendon sheath where the PRP will be most effective. This enhances accuracy, potentially improves outcomes, and increases safety by avoiding sensitive structures.

PRP injections into joints are very safe due to the use of your own blood. The main risks are related to the injection itself, including temporary pain flare-up, infection (very rare with sterile technique), bleeding, bruising, or nerve irritation at the injection site. These are minimized by Dr. Hans's expertise and adherence to strict medical protocols.

Find a non-surgical option for your joint or tendon pain. PRP London Clinic offers specialised PRP injections, including ultrasound-guided options. Consult with Dr. Hans today.

Take a step towards better joint health. Book your consultation with Dr. Hans at PRP London Clinic to see if PRP injections are the right solution for your pain.