PRP Joint Injection

Key Research Papers and Clinical Trials

Recent research on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) joint injections spans multiple conditions and joint locations, with varying levels of evidence quality.

Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Two major systematic reviews examined PRP effectiveness in 2026. A meta-analysis published in Archives of Rehabilitation Research compared leukocyte-rich PRP to hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis pain, analyzing data from randomized controlled trials. Another systematic review in the Journal of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery evaluated PRP effectiveness for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders compared to arthrocentesis and conservative treatments.

Clinical Studies

Several clinical studies focused on knee osteoarthritis. A tertiary care interventional study published in the Asian Journal of Transfusion Science examined autologous PRP for Grade III knee osteoarthritis, while a case report in the Journal of Medical Case Reports described long-term ultrasound-guided PRP injections for moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis.

Research expanded beyond knee applications to include a retrospective study on ultrasound-guided PRP myofascial injections for chronic low back pain, published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Completed Clinical Trials

Five completed clinical trials provide additional evidence:

• A Phase 2 trial (NCT04315103) compared combined HYAJOINT Plus with PRP versus PRP alone for knee osteoarthritis
• A study (NCT03024801) evaluated autologous PRP effectiveness on knee cartilage injury
• A Phase 4 trial (NCT03586154) examined combined shoulder injection with stellate ganglion block for post-mastectomy shoulder pain
• A comparative trial (NCT04351087) tested microfragmented adipose tissue versus PRP for knee osteoarthritis
• A Phase 2/3 trial (NCT05737173) compared leukocyte-rich and leukocyte-poor PRP formulations for knee osteoarthritis

Utilization Patterns

Research also examined clinical practice patterns, with one study investigating how outpatient providers utilize PRP when insurance coverage is available without preauthorization requirements.

The evidence base includes both controlled trials and observational studies, though the specific outcomes and effect sizes from these studies would require access to full publications for detailed analysis.