PRP cannot cure knee arthritis, but for suitable patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis it may help reduce pain and improve function as part of a broader management plan, especially when combined with hyaluronic acid (HA).
Knee arthritis is one of the most common reasons people in Sydney’s north-west and the Southern Highlands seek orthopaedic care. A knee that is stiff in the morning, aches after a walk, or grinds when you climb stairs may signal knee osteoarthritis. If this sounds familiar, you are far from alone.
This guide explains what knee arthritis actually is and what makes it worse. It also covers the full range of treatment options, from lifestyle measures through to regenerative therapies like PRP.
What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a degenerative joint condition. In it, the cartilage that cushions the ends of your thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) gradually breaks down. Cartilage has no blood supply of its own, so it heals very slowly. In many people, the breakdown outpaces any natural repair.
As cartilage thins, the bones begin to bear more of the load. This leads to inflammation, pain, swelling, and eventually changes in the shape of the joint itself. In advanced cases, bone-on-bone contact can cause significant disability.
Common Symptoms
- Pain during or after activity — particularly walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a chair
- Morning stiffness that eases after 15–30 minutes of movement
- Swelling and warmth around the joint, especially after exercise
- A grinding, clicking, or crunching sensation (crepitus) when bending the knee
- Reduced range of motion — difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee
- Instability or the feeling that the knee might give way
Symptoms often fluctuate, with good weeks and bad weeks. Flare-ups can be triggered by weather changes, overactivity, or prolonged sitting.
Who Gets Knee Arthritis?
While age is the biggest risk factor, knee OA is not simply a disease of old age. It is also driven by previous knee injuries, such as meniscal tears and ACL tears. Other contributors include obesity, repetitive occupational stress, family history, and malalignment of the knee joint. Recreational athletes who have played high-impact sports for decades are particularly susceptible.
Conventional Treatment Options
Most patients are first managed with a combination of lifestyle changes and conservative therapies. These include:
- Weight management — even a modest reduction in body weight significantly reduces the load through the knee joint
- Physiotherapy and exercise — strengthening the quadriceps and surrounding muscles provides better joint support and reduces pain
- Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) — ibuprofen and similar drugs reduce pain and swelling but do not slow disease progression, and carry risks with long-term use
- Cortisone injections — provide short-term relief for acute flare-ups, but repeated injections can accelerate cartilage breakdown over time
- Hyaluronic acid injections — aim to supplement the joint’s natural lubricating fluid; evidence for effectiveness is mixed
- Knee replacement surgery (TKA) — the end-stage option when conservative measures have failed, involving full or partial replacement of the joint
Where Conventional Treatments Can Fall Short
Many patients are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. They are too young for a knee replacement but not responding well to conservative care. For them, there is a frustrating gap. Cortisone injections stop working or cause side effects. NSAIDs carry cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks. Physiotherapy helps but doesn’t address the underlying biology of a deteriorating joint.
This is where regenerative medicine is changing the conversation.
PRP as a Regenerative Option for Knee Arthritis
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy uses a concentrated preparation of your own blood platelets, which are rich in growth factors. These are injected directly into the affected knee joint. The goal is to harness your body’s own healing biology. This can reduce inflammation, support the joint lining (synovium), and potentially slow cartilage breakdown.
A growing body of clinical research, including several randomised controlled trials, supports PRP as an effective option for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Studies have shown improvements in pain and function that last longer than cortisone injections. The safety profile is also far more favourable, since the treatment uses your own blood.
PRP is not a cure, and it works best in earlier stages of arthritis where there is still cartilage present. However, some patients want to avoid or delay surgery. They also want a treatment that works with their body rather than masking symptoms. For them, it represents a meaningful step forward.
Is PRP Right for Your Knee?
The best candidates for PRP knee injections have mild to moderate osteoarthritis. They have not responded adequately to physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory treatments. They are also not yet at the stage of requiring a knee replacement. A thorough assessment — including imaging — is needed to determine suitability.
At Dr John PRP, we see patients from across Sydney’s north-west — including Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Norwest, Kellyville, Pennant Hills, and Rouse Hill — as well as patients travelling from the Southern Highlands including Bowral, Mittagong, and Moss Vale. If you’re struggling with knee pain and want to explore what regenerative medicine can do for you, we’d welcome the chance to have that conversation.
Book a consultation to discuss whether PRP is appropriate for your knee arthritis. A thorough assessment is always the first step.
For evidence-based information on knee osteoarthritis, visit Healthdirect Australia’s guide to osteoarthritis.
If you would like to discuss treatment for this condition, learn more about our approach to knee osteoarthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PRP help knee arthritis?
PRP is used to help manage symptoms of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis by targeting inflammation and supporting the joint environment. It is not a cure for arthritis, but for suitable patients it may help reduce pain and improve function as part of a broader management plan.
Is PRP an alternative to knee replacement?
PRP is not a replacement for surgery in advanced arthritis. It is generally most useful in earlier stages, or where a patient wishes to explore non-surgical options first. Suitability is determined after assessment of your imaging and symptoms.
How many PRP injections are needed for knee arthritis?
This depends on the severity of the arthritis and your response to treatment. Some patients have a single injection while others benefit from a short course. Your plan is tailored following assessment.
Do I need a referral to be assessed for knee arthritis?
Not usually. If you already have imaging and a diagnosis you can often book directly. For more complex cases we may recommend consulting your GP first. We see patients across Sydney’s North-West and the Southern Highlands.
