💉 PRP After Meniscus Surgery: A Game-Changer for Knee Recovery?

🧪 What Did the Study Show?

Researchers in Poland conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial—the gold standard in medical research—to see if adding PRP after minimally invasive meniscus surgery (specifically percutaneous trephination) improved healing.

🔍 Here’s what they found:

• 🛑 Fewer surgical failures: Only 48% of patients in the PRP group needed further surgery, compared to 70% in the control group.

• 🔁 Reduced need for repeat arthroscopy: Just 8% of PRP patients required another scope, versus 28% without PRP.

• 💥 Faster pain relief: Nearly two-thirds of PRP patients reported significant pain reduction (as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale).

• 🦵 Better knee function: PRP patients were far more likely to report meaningful improvements in symptoms and quality of movement, especially on the KOOS Symptoms subscale.

In short: PRP didn’t just make knees feel better—it actually helped them heal better.

🧬 How Does PRP Help?

PRP is made by concentrating a small amount of your own blood into a healing-rich serum. It’s packed with growth factors, cytokines, and proteins that:

✅ Reduce inflammation

✅ Stimulate new blood vessel growth

✅ Recruit stem cells and fibrocartilage cells

✅ Enhance collagen and matrix repair in cartilage and meniscus tissue

In this study, PRP was injected directly into the meniscus tear site right after surgery. Combined with trephination (a technique that stimulates healing by creating tiny channels into the meniscus), PRP gave the tissue everything it needed to rebuild naturally.

Think of it as adding high-octane fuel to your knee’s natural repair engine.

👩‍⚕️ Is PRP Safe?

Yes. In this study, no complications were reported from the PRP injections. It’s minimally invasive, performed under ultrasound guidance, and uses your own blood—so there’s no risk of rejection or disease transmission.

💬 Who Might Benefit from PRP After Meniscus Surgery?

• Patients with chronic meniscal tears or degenerative lesions

• People hoping to avoid repeat surgeries

• Athletes looking for faster, more complete recovery

• Those at high risk for osteoarthritis after meniscectomy

PRP is especially promising for patients undergoing repair procedures where preserving the meniscus is the goal.

🔎 The Takeaway

This isn’t hype—it’s science. A rigorous clinical trial has shown that PRP after meniscus surgery can improve healing, reduce pain, and lower the risk of repeat procedures.

If you’re facing meniscus repair—or have already had surgery and want to optimize your recovery—PRP might be the edge your knee needs.

📄 Reference:

Kaminski R, Maksymowicz-Wleklik M, Kulinski K, et al. Short-Term Outcomes of Percutaneous Trephination with a Platelet Rich Plasma Intrameniscal Injection for the Repair of Degenerative Meniscal Lesions. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(4):856. doi:10.3390/ijms20040856