Is PRP Therapy the Key to Long-Term Relief from Knee Pain?

Knee pain can slow you down, affect your sleep, and make even simple tasks feel frustrating. Whether caused by aging, arthritis, or an old injury that never fully healed, ongoing knee pain can take a toll on your quality of life.

If you’ve already tried medications, physical therapy, or injections without lasting relief, it may be time to explore PRP therapy. 

At Coastal Regenerative Orthopedics & Wellness Center in San Diego, California, Ronald S. Cohen, MD, and the team guide you through the process and answer your questions.

What’s PRP therapy?

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. It’s made from your blood, which is drawn and then spun in a machine to separate the platelets. These platelets are rich in growth factors that play a key role in healing.

We inject the PRP directly into the area of the knee that needs help. The goal is to stimulate tissue repair and reduce inflammation. It’s a simple process, but the science behind it is powerful. Your body already knows how to heal. PRP gives it an extra boost.

How it works for knee pain

Knee pain often results from wear-and-tear over time. With conditions like osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions your joint breaks down. That can lead to stiffness, swelling, and pain that doesn’t seem to go away.

PRP doesn’t mask the pain. It goes deeper. The growth factors in the platelet-rich solution help your body repair damaged tissue. They can improve the health of your joint area and reduce the inflammation that causes pain in the first place.

It’s not an instant fix, but many people notice improvement within a few weeks. Over time, results often continue to build as the healing process unfolds.

Why patients turn to PRP

People choose PRP therapy for various reasons, but the most common one is this: They want to avoid surgery. Not everyone is ready to jump into a knee replacement or other invasive procedure. PRP offers a less aggressive approach that still delivers results.

Others turn to PRP because they’ve tried everything else. Perhaps physical therapy provided some relief, or maybe steroid shots were effective for a while. PRP focuses on regeneration rather than just short-term relief.

The fact that it’s your own blood makes the treatment feel more natural to many patients. The risk of allergic reaction is low, and recovery time is usually minimal.

What to expect during treatment

Our team performs PRP therapy in an outpatient setting. First, we draw a small amount of blood from your arm. We place the sample in a centrifuge, which spins the blood to separate the platelets. 

We then inject the concentrated plasma into the affected area of your knee using precise imaging guidance. The entire visit typically lasts less than an hour.

After the injection, you may feel some soreness in the knee for a day or two. That’s a typical part of the healing response. Most people can return to light activity immediately, but we may recommend avoiding heavy exercise for a short period.

Take the next step toward relief

Living with knee pain doesn’t have to be your new normal. PRP therapy offers a path toward healing that other treatments can’t.

If you’re tired of chasing temporary fixes and want to explore something more regenerative and long-lasting, schedule a consultation with our expert providers by phone or online today.