PRP knee injections are emerging as highly sought-after treatments for those suffering from a wide variety of knee pain or injuries in Oklahoma. PRP has been used to treat many different orthopedic conditions for well over two decades, although many are just learning about PRP.
History of PRP or Platelet-rich Plasma in Orthopedic Treatment
While PRP has been used to treat other non-orthopedic conditions dating back into the 1960s, realization of the potential benefits in orthopedics was delayed until the 1990s.
One of the earliest reports of the use of PRP in orthopedics is from 1999. In that year, Dr. Allan Mishra, an orthopedic surgeon, used PRP to treat an Achilles tendon injury for an NFL quarterback for San Francisco 49ers.
Fast forward to 2022 and the use of PRP has become far more widespread, with hundreds of medical research reports having been published using the treatment. What has medical research discovered about PRP treatment in that 23 year period of time?
Key PRP for knee arthritis medical research findings:
For up to one year, “…intra-articular PRP injection is more effective in terms of pain relief and function improvement in the treatment of KOA patients than HA and placebo..”
PRP knee injections for arthritis were found to outperform steroid knee injections. More specifically, medical studies show positive benefits “…including improved pain management, less joint stiffness and better participation in exercise/sporting activity at 12 months follow-up.”
Another study reported on the crucial dosing range of PRP. “Critical dose is important for sustained therapeutic effect. We have observed sustained therapeutic benefit with dose of 10 billion platelets…”
What is PRP or Platelet-Rich Plasma
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a solution made of concentrated platelets prepared from a sample of your own blood. Platelets are used in this way because they contain many essential growth factors that promote healing within the body.
PRP Knee Treatments
PRP knee injections are used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Knee arthritis
- Knee tendonitis
- Knee bursitis
- Knee meniscus damage
- Knee ligament damage
PRP Minimally Invasive Knee Treatments
PRP knee injections are minimally invasive procedures that are often performed in an outpatient clinic setting. Blood is collected from the patient and processed using different techniques, depending on the clinic’s experience, training, and capabilities.
Don’t Cut Corners With Your PRP Injection Knee Treatment
Many clinics reportedly providing PRP treatments are only able to produce a concentration of platelets that is 1.5 to 3 times as concentrated as unprocessed blood. In addition, PRP bedside “kits” collect only 80% of the platelets in a sample.
The average concentration of platelets for people varies widely but generally falls between 150,000 and 400,000 per microliter of blood. Converting this to a typical 5 milliter dose means that most Oklahoma clinics produce the following:
Average clinic PRP typical low dose range
150,000/microliters X 1000 microliters/1mL X 1.5 concentration X 80% X 5mL= 900,000,000 platelets
Average clinic PRP typical high dose range
400,000/microliters X 1000 microliters/1mL X 3.0 concentration X 80% X 5mL= 4,800,000,000 platelets
Research has identified that 10,000,000,000 (10 billion) platelets are needed for an effective PRP knee arthritis dose that enables sustained and cartilage protective benefits.
Note that the current dose identified by the research is approximately 208% higher than what is commonly achieved with the routine “high dose” range output for a typical clinic.
The “low dose” range of platelets for a typical Oklahoma clinic producing PRP is deficient by a staggering 1111% (11X lower than recommended!).
It is essential to determine whether the PRP clinic you are visiting in Oklahoma has advanced lab equipment and trained staff to prepare your PRP.
Orthobiogen Produces The Highest Quality PRP in Oklahoma
Orthobiogen PRP typical low dose range
150,000/microliters X 1000 microliters/1mL X 14 concentration X 90% X 5mL= 9,450,000,000 platelets (approximately 10 billion!)
Orthobiogen PRP typical high dose range
400,000/microliters X 1000 microliters/1mL X 14 concentration X 90% X 5mL= 25,200,000,000 platelets (approximately 25 billion!)
Who Should Provide This Advanced PRP Knee Treatment?
In addition to ensuring that you have the most advanced PRP preparations available, it is also critical to have an experienced Board-Certified doctor providing your treatment.
Many clinics send a non-physician or general practice doctor to train at a weekend course. After the very short training course, the healthcare provider is brought in to deliver the injections with minimal experience.
Beware of “Blind” PRP Knee Injections
Beyond training, it is also important to recognize that many average clinics in Oklahoma perform what is known as a “blind” injection. Providers, such as nurses, PAs, or doctors, place a finger on the joint and “feel around” for the proper injection site. The accuracy of this method is poor in medical research studies compared to 100% success rates with ultrasound guidance.
Studies into injection techniques have shown that:
Orthobiogen Doctors’ Extensive Guided Injection Experience
At Orthobiogen, Oklahoma’s most advanced PRP treatment facility, our regenerative specialists have extensive backgrounds in guided injection therapy. The chief medical officer, Dr. Keley John Booth, MD, has utilized ultrasound guidance for needle-guided procedures since 2002 in Oklahoma. After 20 years of experience with these ultrasound-guided techniques, Dr. Booth is among Oklahoma’s most highly skilled injection therapy physicians.
Other Factors To Consider When Seeking a PRP Treatment Clinic
There are several key factors to consider to achieve the best outcomes for patients seeking PRP knee injection therapy in Oklahoma. Attention to the entire knee joint as a functional unit is vital for advanced Regenerative Medicine treatment outcomes.
The treating doctor must consider not only the joint injection but also the condition of the stabilizing structures, including:
- Ligaments – assessment of damage or laxity leading to instability
- Tendon condition – identify signs of injury or chronic inflammation
- Muscle structure – evaluate for signs of atrophy or damage
- Individual joint compartment assessment
- Status of the subchondral bone
- Imaging of the medial and/or lateral meniscus
- Review of any sites of inflammation
Unfortunately, many clinics providing PRP knee injections in Oklahoma have not had adequate training in identifying related pathologies of the knee. PRP treatments of the knee can help far beyond the immediate impact inside the joint alone. PRP growth factors can enable supportive connective tissue to function better, extending the benefit of these treatments.
What Are My Options If I Am Not A PRP Knee Injection Candidate?
Many Oklahoma-based PRP clinics offer only PRP and only one low concentration of PRP. At Orthobiogen, we can concentrate PRP for more advanced stages of knee degeneration or disease and still achieve positive benefits. However, there are times we will recommend that PRP alone may not be the best treatment for your particular condition.
Determining Candidacy For PRP Knee Treatments
Finding out whether you are likely to benefit from PRP knee injections starts with a comprehensive evaluation with our regenerative specialists. Obtaining a thorough history of the knee problem and a physical examination reviewing the overall function of the joint.
In addition, specialized imaging, including ultrasound examination of the joint and surrounding soft tissue, is extremely valuable in diagnosis. Examing your knee joint in motion can provide unique information not often identified with traditional knee X-rays.
Finally, it is recommend that a high resolution MRI be performed in order to provide the best opportunity to reveiw the bone structure, internal knee ligaments, tendons, and cartilage condition. Your regenerative knee specialist will review your candidacy for treatment with you personally.
If you are not deemed a good candidate for isolated PRP injection in the knee, your Orthobiogen will discuss the potential for cell-based therapy. Using bone marrow concentrate for orthopedic knee conditions is an even more advanced treatment option beyond PRP knee injections. Many patients not able to benefit from PRP knee therapy alone may benefit from bone marrow concentrate injection of the knee.
Orthobiogen specialists provide Oklahomans with cell-based bone marrow concentration options in the state. In addition to PRP, our doctors have the specialized training to provide you with the most advanced surgery-free knee pain treatment.
Conclusion For Knee PRP Treatment in Oklahoma
Our goal is that all Oklahomans seeking non-surgical treatment alternatives focused on regenerative techniques are getting the highest level of care. Our specialist knee doctors and specially trained staff and technicians provide the most advanced PRP injection experience available anywhere in Oklahoma.
We look forward to the opportunity to provide you with an outstanding PRP treatment experience. Contact us for an evaluation of your knee condition.
