Does PRP work for knee pain?

For Grade 2–3 osteoarthritis, yes — 60–70% of patients get 6–12 months of significant pain relief. For Grade 4 bone-on-bone arthritis, no — surgery is needed. Multiple RCTs support PRP for early-to-mid OA, partial meniscal tears, and patellar tendinopathy.

How long does PRP last?

Average 6–12 months of pain relief for suitable patients. Some get longer, some shorter. Maintenance injections (annual) extend the benefit. PRP doesn't cure arthritis; it modulates the joint environment.

Is PRP covered by insurance?

Most Indian insurance policies don't cover PRP — it's classified as "regenerative" or "experimental." CGHS doesn't cover PRP. Self-pay typically ₹6,000–15,000 per session.

How many PRP sessions do I need?

Standard course is 3 injections, 1–2 weeks apart. Some patients respond after 1–2 sessions. Maintenance: single injection annually or as symptoms return.

When does PRP not work?

Grade 4 bone-on-bone arthritis (joint surface is gone); complete ACL tears; bucket-handle meniscal tears; severe varus/valgus deformity. In these conditions, PRP wastes money — surgery is the appropriate treatment.

PRP Injection for Knee Pain — Does It Work? | Dr. Harjoban Singh

Dr. Harjoban Singh — the only FIFA-approved orthopaedic surgeon in the Chandigarh Tricity — sees patients with this condition regularly. Most cases are treated without surgery first.

What It Is

What PRP Actually Is

PRP — platelet-rich plasma — is your own blood, centrifuged to concentrate the platelets and growth factors, then injected back into the knee. The growth factors stimulate cartilage cells, reduce inflammation, and modulate the joint environment.

Important: PRP doesn't regrow cartilage. The marketing claims of "cartilage regeneration" aren't supported by MRI evidence. What PRP does, when it works, is reduce pain and improve function for 6–12 months.

When It Works

When PRP Works Well

Good evidence supporting PRP:

Grade 2–3 osteoarthritis — 60–70% of patients get 6–12 months of significant pain relief. Multiple RCTs and meta-analyses support this.
Partial meniscal tears — especially degenerative tears in middle-aged patients.
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee) — superior to cortisone for chronic tendinopathy.
Mild cartilage damage — not full-thickness defects.

When It Doesn't Work

When PRP Does Not Work

Don't waste your money on PRP for:

Grade 4 bone-on-bone arthritis — the joint surface is gone; growth factors have nothing to work with. You need surgery.
Complete ACL tears — the ligament needs surgical reconstruction.
Bucket-handle meniscal tears — mechanical block requiring arthroscopic repair.
Severe varus deformity — alignment cannot be fixed by injection.

If a clinic offers PRP for these conditions, find another clinic.

What to Expect

Realistic Expectations

For Grade 2–3 osteoarthritis — the largest group of suitable patients:

Onset of relief: 2–6 weeks (not immediate).
Duration: 6–12 months on average.
Sessions: Usually 3 injections, 1–2 weeks apart, for the initial course.
Maintenance: Single injection annually, or as symptoms return.
Cost: ₹6,000–15,000 per session at Gini, depending on preparation system used.
Insurance: Most policies don't cover PRP. CGHS doesn't cover it.

Programme Approach

PRP as Part of Save the Knee

At Gini, PRP isn't an isolated procedure — it's part of the Save the Knee Programme. The aim: delay or avoid replacement in patients who genuinely don't need surgery yet.

The programme combines PRP with structured physiotherapy, weight management, bracing where indicated, and activity modification. Single-modality treatment rarely matches the results of an integrated approach.

Honest framing: if you have Grade 4 arthritis with daily-activity-limiting pain, PRP will likely not delay surgery meaningfully. We will tell you that. When to consider knee replacement →

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