PRP for knee cartilage

[Mahseer]

I'm 66 and in pretty good shape having just sailed through an annual check up but one issue I do need to face is the cartilage in my right knee is on the way out. It's just restrictive at present and far from requiring replacement surgery but one thing that has been suggested is PRP, platelet rich plasma injections and wondering if anyone has been treated this way.

 

Researching there is plenty of conflicting reports out there but knowing people who have regretted having knee replacement it is an avenue I do want to explore.

 

Thanks

[eezergood]

I have a friend that is a Physio for a pro rugby team in the UK - she is pretty convinced that this is the way to go, with real re-hab of course. Surgery should be the VERY last option

[Mahseer]

Nobody undergone this treatment here in country? Just trying to gauge how common and accepted the practice is here.

 

 

[Sheryl]

Not at all common here. Just a few places offer it.

 

This treatment has not yet been recommended by any national health authority that I am aware of due to still limited reliable data  on its effectiveness. There is `also a lack of standardization in how it is done.

 

See .https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg637/chapter/1-Recommendations

 

As it is used only for mild to moderate OA it is not an alternative to joint replacement. Rather an alternative to HA injections or steroid injecvtions and either alternative to, or adjunct to, use of antinflammatory drugs.

 

If it were me and I had mild to moderate OA I would go for HA injections and physiotherapy rather than a treatment not yet fully researched or standardized.

 

 

[Mahseer]

Thanks Sheryl, the procedure is available at Chiang Mai Ram but I have yet to sign up. I did pay a visit to Dr Chanakarn at his clinic 3 weeks back and his opinion was to just monitor but it's tightened since so I'll revisit and discuss the options you recommend.

 

Much appreciate your input, thank you.

 

 

 

 

[bkkbudddy]

Sheryl,

 

I have torn meniscus with early stage of osteoarthritis in my left knee! I've been jogging and playing tennis for 18 years! I already had 2 arthroscopy for torn meniscus, numerous cortisone injections and one sodium hyaluronate injection at Rama 9 and Bumrungrad Hospital!  Cortisone and HA injections helped only for several months! I also got PRP injection 4 weeks ago but I don't feel the difference!  For PRP Therapy, it takes approximately 4 to 6 months, so I'm still patiently waiting for the results!  Also, after PRP Injections, your knee will be moderately painful for several days!

 

PRP injection:

Rama 9 Hospital, approximately 5,250 bhat

Ramkhamhaeng Hospital, approximately 20,000 bhat

Bumrungrad Hospital, approximately 17,000 - 30,000 bhat

 

Therefore, PRP injection is expensive in Bangkok!

[bkkbudddy]

10 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Not at all common here. Just a few places offer it.

 

This treatment has not yet been recommended by any national health authority that I am aware of due to still limited reliable data  on its effectiveness. There is `also a lack of standardization in how it is done.

 

See .https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg637/chapter/1-Recommendations

 

As it is used only for mild to moderate OA it is not an alternative to joint replacement. Rather an alternative to HA injections or steroid injecvtions and either alternative to, or adjunct to, use of antinflammatory drugs.

 

If it were me and I had mild to moderate OA I would go for HA injections and physiotherapy rather than a treatment not yet fully researched or standardized.

 

 

Sheryl,

 

I had one HA injection and it didn't help that much!  Dr. Panya told me, "HA injections usually last only for one month!"

[mike787]

http://www.surecell.co.th

  They are excellent.

[xylophone]

I had Synvisc injections for elbow joint pain after having some loose cartilage removed and it worked very well..........played tennis for years after with no problems.

 

The specialist said that it had been used on knees esp for rugby players in NZ, but not on elbows so was not too sure about using it, but there was nothing to lose, so he did!

 

That was years ago and all is still well.

[bkkbudddy]

16 minutes ago, mike787 said:

http://www.surecell.co.th

  They are excellent.

Mike,

Since we're talking about PRP Therapy for treatment of cartilages/arthritis , do you want a GP, who has no knowledge of Orthopedic diagnosis and treatment handle joint problems?

Remember, Surecell Clinic only has General Practitioners in their staff!

 

[bkk6060]

It worked for Kobe Bryant.