Research Studies
Explore the scientific evidence behind PRP therapy with peer-reviewed research from leading medical journals.
65 Peer-Reviewed Studies
Filtered by body part — click any study for full protocol details
PRP Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: Clinically Significant and Influenced by Platelet Concentration
Bensa A · The American Journal of Sports Medicine
PRP was statistically and clinically superior to placebo at all follow-up points. High-platelet PRP maintained clinically significant improvement at 12 months; low-platelet PRP did not.
PRP vs Corticosteroids in Plantar Fasciitis: Meta-Analysis of 24 RCTs
(Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2025) · Am J Phys Med Rehabil
Largest PF meta-analysis: 24 RCTs, 1653 participants. PRP superior VAS at 3 months (p=0.03) and 6 months. PRP also reduced plantar fascia thickness more than CS. Globally distributed studies (14 India, 4 Egypt, 1 each UK/Mexico/Iran/Turkey/Sri Lanka/Nepal).
PRP After Arthrocentesis for TMJ-OA: Meta-Analysis of 6 RCTs
Xu F · BMC Oral Health
6 RCTs, 199 patients. PRP after arthrocentesis significantly reduced pain (SMD=0.94, p<0.00001) and improved MMO (SMD=0.63, p=0.0002) vs arthrocentesis alone. No significant improvement in joint sounds (p=0.06).
PRP Complications in Foot/Ankle: Systematic Review of 16 RCTs
(Arthroscopy 2025) · Arthroscopy
16 RCTs, 674 PRP vs 749 control. PRP had significantly HIGHER complication rates than comparators (p<0.01), primarily driven by POST-INJECTION PAIN. Only 1 patient required surgery. NNH = 13.
Intradiscal PRP for Discogenic Low Back Pain: Evidence Summary
Various (Guidelines) · Multiple/Clinical Guidelines
EXPERIMENTAL indication with VERY LIMITED evidence. Small pilot studies promising. LP-PRP strongly preferred. Large RCTs needed.
PRP as Second-Line Treatment for Chronic Tendinopathy: Systematic Review
(Pain Medicine review) · Pain Medicine
9 RCTs, 488 patients who FAILED conservative treatment. PRP significantly reduced chronic pain (SMD=0.47, p<0.001). PRP most beneficial as second-line treatment for refractory tendinopathy.
Arthroscopy-Guided PRP for Grade II Meniscus Tears: RCT
Teimouri M · Int J Burns Trauma
Trend at 6mo (p=0.0552) but NOT significant at 6 or 12 months. PRP NOT superior for grade II meniscus.
Safety and Efficacy of PRP Injections in Basal Thumb OA: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
(ScienceDirect SR 2025) · Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma
7 studies, 115 patients. PRP consistently demonstrated significant pain reduction and hand function improvement. No adverse events except one palmar wrist ganglion. Most joints were Eaton-Littler grade III. Mean follow-up 14.1 months. Heterogeneity in protocols limits conclusions but overall trend strongly positive.
PRP in ACLR: Updated Meta-Analysis 2025
Abbas H · Cureus
1085 patients. Pain reduced at 3mo (MD -0.76) and 6mo (MD -0.67), NO difference at 12mo. Short-term only.
LP-PRP for Hip OA with DDH: Double-Blind RCT
Okanoue Y · J Hip Preservation Surgery
LP-PRP equivalent to HA. No significant difference. Notable for excellent PRP characterization (PAW classification).
PRP vs Steroid for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: Retrospective Cohort
Bucak OF · Foot & Ankle International
PRP VAS lower (1.98 vs 2.79, p<0.001) but below MCID. FFI superior (22.3 vs 29.8, p<0.001), exceeding MCID.
Microfracture + PRP vs Microfracture Alone for OLT: Meta-Analysis
Multiple authors · Foot and Ankle Surgery
5 RCTs, 198 patients. Microfracture + PRP significantly reduced VAS pain (p<0.001) and improved AOFAS function vs microfracture alone. Good short-term results. PRP enhances the biological response to marrow stimulation surgery.
PRP for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: 3-Arm RCT
Yao L · Am J Sports Med
Recent 2024 Level I evidence supporting PRP augmentation in RCR. Adds to growing evidence showing PRP reduces retear and improves short-term outcomes.
PRP vs All Modalities for Plantar Fasciitis: Meta-Analysis of 21 RCTs
Tung WS · Foot and Ankle Surgery
PRP superior to ESWT (SMD=0.86, p=0.002), CS (SMD=1.08, p=0.04), placebo (SMD=3.42, p<0.00001).
PRP in ACLR: Scoping Review of RCTs
Delcogliano M · KSSTA
Only 4/13 studies showed benefit. 9/13 no advantage. Evidence scattered.
Leukocytes Do Not Influence the Safety and Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Romandini I · The American Journal of Sports Medicine
Leukocytes did not influence clinical efficacy or safety. Both LR-PRP and LP-PRP provided similar outcomes at 12 months.
ARCR + PRP Reduces Retearing (Level I RCTs Only)
Song Y · Medicine
PRP reduced retear. Single-row repair benefited; double-row MASKED effect. PRP most useful for single-row repairs.
Knee and Hip OA PRP: Scoping Review
Belk JW · PMC Review
KNEE OA: favorable - 81% PRP patients improved vs 38.1% HA. HIP OA: INCONSISTENT - no significant PRP vs HA differences. Strong knee evidence, lacking hip evidence.
PRP Injection for Thumb CMC OA: Retrospective Case Series
Hasley IB · Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl
19 patients, 33 thumb CMC joints. PRP safe and potentially effective. Detailed cellular composition analysis provided. Included all OA grades (II-IV). Single ultrasound-guided injection with erythrocyte/neutrophil-poor PRP.
PRP for OA by Joint Type: Meta-Analysis (Ankle, Knee, Hip, TMJ)
Xiong Y · Frontiers in Medicine
Ankle OA (MD=-1.15, p<0.05), Knee OA (MD=-1.03, p<0.05), TMJ OA (MD=-1.35, p<0.05) all significant. Hip OA NO benefit (MD=-0.27, p>0.05). LP-PRP > LR-PRP. PRP works differently across joints.
PRP vs HA for TMJ Osteoarthritis: RCT with Imaging Outcomes
Liu Y (estimated) · Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery
65 patients (33 PRP, 32 HA). Both groups improved significantly. PRP superior for pain during mouth opening at 1 month, MMO at 1/3/6 months, TMJ sound at 1/3 months, and GAD-7 anxiety at 6 months. Imaging improvement also greater in PRP group.
PRP for Talar Osteochondral Lesions: Systematic Review of Clinical Trials
Defined by multiple authors · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
10 studies (4 RCTs, 1 controlled trial, 3 case series, 2 cohort). Meta-analysis of 4 RCTs favored PRP for AOFAS (MD=7.84) and VAS (MD=1.86, p<0.01). PRP as adjunct to microfracture surgery showed strongest evidence.
PRP for Ankle OA: Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence
Ding SL · International Orthopaedics
184 ankles, 132 PRP-treated. PRP significantly reduced VAS at 12 weeks (pooled USMD -2.80, p<0.001) and improved functional scores (pooled SMD 1.73, p<0.001). Improvement magnitude similar to placebo effects from single available RCT. Evidence limited (Level IV).
PRP for Spinal Diseases: Comprehensive Systematic Review
Defined by PMC review · International Journal of Molecular Sciences (PMC)
Intradiscal PRP: safe and effective (fair evidence, Level III). Facet/SIJ injection: safe and useful but limited evidence (Level IV). Spinal fusion augmentation: limited/unclear benefit. Epidural PRP: emerging evidence, inconclusive. LP-PRP recommended for intradiscal due to avascular environment.
IA + IO PRP vs IA Alone for Knee OA: Single-Blind RCT
Barman A · Injury
Emerging approach targeting subchondral bone. Combined IO+IA may provide additional benefit. Larger trials needed.
PRP vs HA for Hip OA: Level I/II Meta-Analysis
Belk JW · Arthroscopy
NO significant PRP vs HA differences. LP-PRP subanalysis also negative. Unlike knee, PRP does NOT outperform HA in hip.
PRP vs Conservative Treatment for Partial ACL Injury in Athletes
Laimujam SD · Int J Advances in Medicine
48 athletes. PRP + rehab significantly improved IKDC and Lysholm vs rehab alone at 4, 8, 12 months. PRP may have a role in PARTIAL ACL tears.
Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Versus Corticosteroid Injections for Management of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Sánchez M · Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
PRP showed significantly superior pain relief and functional improvement vs corticosteroid at 12 months (ASES 89.8 vs 78.0, p<0.001). Failure rate was higher in corticosteroid group (30% vs 12%).
Shoulder OA: PRP vs HA with Physical Therapy - Prospective Study
El-Hakeim EH · Journal of Arthritis
PRP + physical therapy significantly improved pain and function compared to HA + physical therapy for chronic painful shoulder/glenohumeral OA. One of very few studies examining PRP for glenohumeral (shoulder) joint OA specifically.
PRP for Hand and Thumb OA: Effects on Basal Joint and STT Joint
Rydberg M · PLOS One
29 patients (21 thumb CMC, 8 STT). GEE analysis showed PRP had NO significant effect on pain, PRWHE, grip strength, or key pinch at 3 months. 16/28 patients subjectively reported improvement despite no objective improvement. Short-term PRP effect for hand OA is doubtful.
PRP in Osteoarthritis (OA) Knee: Correct Dose Critical for Long Term Clinical Efficacy
Bansal H · Scientific Reports (Nature)
PRP (10 billion platelet dose) was significantly superior to HA across all outcomes at 12 months. MRI also showed structural improvement.
Effect of Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma vs Placebo Injection on Pain and Medial Tibial Cartilage Volume in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: The RESTORE Randomized Clinical Trial
Bennell KL · JAMA
PRP did not result in a significant difference in symptoms (pain -2.1 vs -1.8, p=0.17) or joint structure (cartilage volume -1.4% vs -1.2%, p=0.81) compared to saline placebo at 12 months. The study has been criticized for low platelet concentration.
PRP vs Corticosteroid for Thumb CMC Osteoarthritis: Prospective RCT
Malahias MA · Cartilage
PRP significantly reduced VAS pain (75 to 40) and improved qDASH (50 to 33) at both 3 and 12 months. PRP was superior to corticosteroid at all timepoints. First RCT for PRP in thumb CMC OA.
Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Plasma for Symptomatic Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
Dório M · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
No significant difference in VAS pain scores was found between PRP, non-enriched plasma, and saline at 24 weeks.
PRP for TMJ-OA Pain Reduction: Meta-Analysis of 6 RCTs
Bousnaki M · Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
PRP more effective than placebo at 6 months (MD -2.82, p<0.00001) and 12 months (MD -3.29, p<0.00001). PRP also superior to HA at 12 months (MD -0.81, p=0.0001). Moderate evidence supporting PRP for TMJ-OA pain.
PRP vs Corticosteroids for Plantar Fasciitis: Systematic Review of 9 RCTs
Hurley ET · Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
9 RCTs (239 PRP vs 240 CS). PRP superior at all VAS timepoints (p<0.00001 at 3,6,12mo). AOFAS superior at 6 and 12 months.
PRP vs HA for Thumb CMC OA: HA Superior at 12 Weeks
El-Gazzar Y (estimated) · QJM: An International Journal of Medicine
30 patients randomized to PRP vs HA. Both improved at 4 and 12 weeks. HA provided SUPERIOR improvement at 12 weeks for VAS, tenderness, AUSCAN, grip and pinch strength. Authors recommend single HA injection over PRP for thumb CMC OA.
PRP for Hand and Foot OA: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Evans A · Journal of Orthopaedics
PRP may be superior to other intra-articular injections for improving pain and function in small joint OA. Hand OA (3 studies) and ankle/talar lesions (6 studies) both showed positive trends. LP-PRP used in majority (7/9). Evidence limited by small samples and few RCTs.
PRP/PRF in Rotator Cuff Repair: 18 RCT Meta-Analysis
Hurley ET · Am J Sports Med
PRP retear: 17.2% vs 30.5% (all), 22.4% vs 38.3% (small-med), 12.3% vs 30.5% (med-large). PRF: NO benefit.
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Patellar Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Leukocyte-Rich PRP or Leukocyte-Poor PRP Versus Saline
Scott A · The American Journal of Sports Medicine
At 12 weeks, 58% of all participants improved regardless of group. No statistically significant difference among LR-PRP (35%), LP-PRP (72%), and saline (71%).
Current Clinical Recommendations for Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma
Le ADK · Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine
Strong evidence supports LR-PRP for lateral epicondylitis and LP-PRP for knee OA. Moderate evidence for patellar tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. Lack of efficacy for Achilles tendinopathy, muscle injuries, rotator cuff repair augmentation, and ACL reconstruction.
PRP vs Steroid for SIJ Pain: Prospective Randomized PROBE Study
Singla V · Pain Medicine
40 patients randomized to PRP vs steroid for SIJ pain. Steroid provided faster short-term relief (2 weeks). PRP showed modest early results at 2 weeks but superior improvement at 4-6 weeks and 3 months.
Multiple PRP > Single PRP > HA for Early Knee OA: Double-Blind RCT
Gormeli G · Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc
4-arm: 3xPRP vs 1xPRP vs HA vs saline. Multiple PRP (3x) significantly superior to all groups. Single PRP ~ HA, both > saline. DOSE-RESPONSE confirmed.
PRP vs LA/Corticosteroid for Lumbar Facet Joint Syndrome: Prospective Study
Wu J · Pain Practice
PRP injections into lumbar facet joints significantly reduced pain and improved function compared to steroid injections. Effect sustained over 6-12 months.
PRP vs HA for Ankle OA: Intra-articular RCT
Repetto I (estimated) · Foot and Ankle Surgery
Retrospective comparison of PRP vs HA for ankle OA. Both treatments showed improvement. Mixed results with some measures favoring PRP and others showing equivalence. Limited by retrospective design.
PRP vs HA vs PRP+HA for Hip OA: US-Guided RCT
Dallari D · Am J Sports Med
PRP VAS=21 vs PRP+HA=35 vs HA=44 at 6mo. PRP vs HA p<0.0005. PRP ALONE superior to both HA and combination.
LP-PRP in Medium-Large Rotator Cuff Repair: RCT
Pandey V · J Shoulder Elbow Surg
LP-PRP improved Constant and UCLA at 24mo. Lower retear. Positive outlier; some meta-analyses excluded due to non-blinding.
PRP Does Not Enhance RTP in Hamstring Injuries: Dutch HIT Study
Hamilton B · Br J Sports Med
PRP did NOT shorten RTP. Meta-analysis HR=1.03 (p=0.73). Rehabilitation exercises superior (HR 3.22). Injection may not have reached hematoma.
PRP After Microfracture for OLT: RCT Showing Enhanced Function
Guney A · Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc
35 patients with full-thickness talar lesions. Microfracture + PRP significantly improved functional scores (AOFAS, FAAM, p=0.001) and VAS (p=0.001) at 16 months vs microfracture alone.
Knee Osteoarthritis Injection Choices: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Versus Hyaluronic Acid (A One-Year Randomized Clinical Trial)
Raeissadat SA · Clinical Medicine Insights: Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders
At 12 months, WOMAC pain and SF-36 bodily pain improved significantly more in the PRP group compared to HA (p<0.001).
PRGF for High Ankle Sprain in Elite Athletes: RCT
Laver L · KSSTA
RTP 33% faster (40.8 vs 59.6 days, p<0.05). Rare positive RCT for acute ligament injury.
Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Chronic Tennis Elbow: A Double-Blind, Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial of 230 Patients
Mishra AK · The American Journal of Sports Medicine
At 24 weeks, PRP-treated patients showed 71.5% improvement vs 56.1% in controls (p=0.019), representing clinically meaningful improvement.
Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Treatment for Patellar Tendinopathy: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
Dragoo JL · The American Journal of Sports Medicine
PRP showed greater VISA-P improvement at 12 weeks (25.4 vs 5.2 points, p=0.02), but this difference disappeared by 26 weeks, suggesting only transient benefit.
PRP vs Cortisone for Chronic Severe Plantar Fasciitis: Single-Blind RCT
Monto RR · Foot & Ankle International
PRP AOFAS 37->95 at 24mo (p<0.001). CS improved at 3mo then deteriorated. PRP sustained; CS relapsed.
MRI Graft Remodelling After ACLR With/Without PRP
Seijas R · KSSTA
Faster graft remodelling on MRI but NO clinical score differences (IKDC, Lysholm).
Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis with Platelet-Rich Plasma, Glucocorticoid, or Saline: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Krogh TP · The American Journal of Sports Medicine
Pain reduction at 3 months was observed in all three groups with no statistically significant difference between PRP, glucocorticoid, and saline.
Single- and Double-Dose of Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Patel S · World Journal of Orthopedics
PRP resulted in significantly better WOMAC and VAS scores than HA at 12 weeks (p<0.001). Double-dose PRP (100% responder rate) was superior to single-dose PRP (86%) and HA (0%).
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in the Treatment of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial with 1-Year Follow-up
Kesikburun S · The American Journal of Sports Medicine
A single PRP injection was not more effective than placebo for chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy at any time point through 12 months.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Intra-articular Injections for Cartilage Degeneration and Osteoarthritis: Single- Versus Double-Spinning Approach
Filardo G · Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Both PRP preparation methods showed significant clinical improvement at 12 months. Single-spinning (LP-PRP) resulted in less post-injection pain and swelling.
PRP vs HA for Talar OLT: RCT with Superior PRP Outcomes at 28 Weeks
Mei-Dan O · Foot & Ankle International
30 patients with talar dome lesions refractory to conservative care. PRP had significantly less pain and improved function vs HA at 28 weeks. First RCT demonstrating PRP superiority over HA for talar osteochondral lesions.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment in Chronic Achilles Tendinosis
Monto RR · Foot & Ankle International
Significant improvement in AOFAS scores from 55 to 96 at final follow-up. Results maintained at 24 months with no adverse effects.
Ongoing Positive Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Corticosteroid Injection in Lateral Epicondylitis: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial with 2-Year Follow-up
Gosens T · The American Journal of Sports Medicine
PRP showed significantly better outcomes than corticosteroid injection at 1- and 2-year follow-up (p<0.005) on both VAS and DASH scores.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Intra-articular Knee Injections for the Treatment of Degenerative Cartilage Lesions and Osteoarthritis
Filardo G · Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
PRP injections reduced pain and improved knee function and quality of life with short-term efficacy up to 12 months, though benefits diminished at 24 months.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment in Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
de Vos RJ · JAMA
PRP injection did not result in greater improvement compared to saline at 6-month or 1-year follow-up. Both groups improved with eccentric exercise.
Treatment of Chronic Elbow Tendinosis with Buffered Platelet-Rich Plasma
Mishra A · The American Journal of Sports Medicine
Landmark pilot study demonstrated 93% pain reduction with PRP at mean 25-month follow-up. One of the first clinical studies showing PRP efficacy for musculoskeletal applications.
Understanding the Research
While PRP therapy shows promising results in numerous studies, it's important to discuss your specific condition with a qualified healthcare provider. Research continues to evolve, and individual results may vary.