What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy for knee pain?

PRP therapy uses a patient's own concentrated platelets, rich in growth factors, to reduce inflammation and aid healing, often providing temporary relief for early knee issues.

Can stem cell therapy regenerate cartilage in the knee?

Current stem cell therapies offered commercially for knee osteoarthritis are experimental, lack US FDA approval, and have not proven effective in regenerating cartilage or bone.

Are regenerative treatments like PRP effective for knee osteoarthritis in India?

While PRP may offer temporary pain relief for early knee osteoarthritis, it does not regenerate cartilage or reverse damage. For moderate to advanced stages, its effect is minimal.

Home / Health / Indian Knees in Crisis: PRP & Stem Cells Under Scrutiny

Indian Knees in Crisis: PRP & Stem Cells Under Scrutiny

14 Jan

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Summary

Knee degeneration affects younger Indians, driven by lifestyle and injuries.
PRP offers temporary pain relief for early knee issues, not cartilage repair.
Unproven stem cell therapies lack FDA approval for knee conditions.

Indian Knees in Crisis: PRP & Stem Cells Under Scrutiny

Knee problems are becoming more prevalent among younger and middle-aged Indians, moving beyond age-related osteoarthritis. Factors like obesity, lack of conditioning, and sports injuries contribute to chronic knee pain. Women, in particular, often experience knee issues earlier and more frequently due to hormonal changes post-menopause, weaker muscles, and delayed treatment seeking.

Regenerative treatments such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections and stem cell therapy are promoted as non-surgical solutions. However, orthopedic experts caution that PRP is effective for soft-tissue injuries but does not regenerate cartilage or reverse damage in osteoarthritis. Its benefits for knee arthritis are limited to temporary pain relief in early stages and are not recommended by major orthopedic associations for this condition.