Why London Athletes Are Choosing PRP Over Cortisone for Knee Arthritis in 2025

The waiting room at The London PRP Clinic tells a story. Former marathon runners, weekend footballers, and yoga instructors all seeking the same thing that conventional treatments haven't delivered. They've tried the cortisone injections, the endless physiotherapy sessions, the painkillers that barely touch the surface. Now they're here for something different.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy represents a fundamental shift in how we approach knee arthritis. Rather than masking symptoms or temporarily reducing inflammation, PRP harnesses your body's own healing mechanisms to potentially regenerate damaged cartilage and reduce pain at its source.

The Science Behind Your Platelets' Healing Power

Your blood contains remarkable healing factors that most people never fully utilise. When we concentrate these platelets to levels five to ten times higher than normal blood, we create a powerful biological treatment that can stimulate tissue repair in ways that synthetic medications simply cannot match.

What makes PRP particularly effective for knee arthritis?

The concentrated growth factors in PRP, including PDGF, TGF-beta, and VEGF, work synergistically to reduce inflammation while promoting cellular regeneration. Recent studies from leading UK orthopaedic centres show that patients receiving PRP injections experience significant pain reduction for up to 12 months, compared to just 3 months with cortisone.

The process itself takes less than an hour in our Harley Street clinic. We draw approximately 30ml of your blood, process it in our FDA-approved centrifuge system, and inject the concentrated platelets directly into the affected knee joint under ultrasound guidance. The precision matters enormously here. Blind injections miss their target up to 40% of the time, which is why ultrasound guidance is non-negotiable in our practice.

Real Results From Real London Patients

Sarah, a 52-year-old teacher from Hampstead, came to us after three failed cortisone injections. "The relief from cortisone lasted maybe six weeks each time, and my consultant said I was too young for knee replacement," she explains. Six months after her PRP treatment, she's back to her morning runs in Regent's Park.

How quickly do patients see results?

Unlike cortisone which provides almost immediate but temporary relief, PRP works gradually. Most patients begin noticing improvement around week three, with continued improvement over the following three to six months. This slower onset reflects the biological process of tissue regeneration rather than simple inflammation suppression.

The evidence base continues to strengthen. A 2024 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Sports Medicine analysed outcomes from over 2,000 patients and found PRP superior to both cortisone and hyaluronic acid injections for knee osteoarthritis, particularly in patients under 60 with mild to moderate arthritis.

Understanding the Investment in Your Joint Health

PRP treatment costs more upfront than cortisone injections, typically ranging from £500 to £800 per injection at reputable London clinics. However, when you consider that cortisone injections often need repeating every three to four months, whilst a single PRP treatment can provide relief for a year or more, the economics shift considerably.

Is PRP covered by private health insurance?

Insurance coverage varies significantly. BUPA and AXA PPP now cover PRP for certain conditions when performed by approved specialists. We provide detailed clinical justification letters to support your insurance claims, though many patients choose to self-fund given the relatively modest cost compared to surgical alternatives.

The Cortisone Trap Many Londoners Fall Into

Cortisone injections have their place in medicine, but for knee arthritis, they're increasingly seen as a temporary patch rather than a solution. Each injection potentially weakens surrounding tissues and may accelerate cartilage breakdown when used repeatedly. The Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons now recommends limiting cortisone injections to no more than three per year per joint.

What about patients who've already had multiple cortisone injections?

Previous cortisone use doesn't exclude you from PRP treatment. In fact, many of our most successful cases involve patients who've exhausted the cortisone option. We do recommend waiting at least three months after your last cortisone injection before starting PRP to allow the joint environment to normalise.

Dr James Mitchell, our lead consultant, explains the fundamental difference: "Cortisone is like putting a temporary dampener on a fire alarm. PRP is more like addressing the actual fire. It takes longer, but the results are far more sustainable."

Who Makes the Best Candidate for PRP?

Not everyone with knee arthritis is an ideal PRP candidate. The treatment works best for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis, typically grades 1 to 3 on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale. Those with bone-on-bone arthritis may still benefit but typically see less dramatic improvements.

Can younger patients with early arthritis benefit?

Absolutely. In fact, younger patients often see the most impressive results. Professional athletes and active individuals in their 30s and 40s with early cartilage damage frequently experience complete symptom resolution after PRP treatment. The key is catching the degeneration early before irreversible changes occur.

Age itself isn't a barrier. We've successfully treated patients well into their 80s, though healing responses may be somewhat slower in older individuals. What matters more is overall health, activity level, and the severity of arthritis.

The Treatment Protocol That Makes the Difference

Success with PRP isn't just about the injection itself. Our comprehensive protocol includes pre-treatment optimisation and post-injection rehabilitation that significantly impacts outcomes.

Two weeks before treatment, we recommend stopping anti-inflammatory medications as they can interfere with the healing cascade PRP initiates. We also suggest increasing protein intake and ensuring adequate vitamin D levels, both crucial for tissue regeneration.

What happens after the injection?

The first 48 hours post-injection are critical. We advise relative rest, avoiding strenuous activities whilst maintaining gentle movement to distribute the PRP throughout the joint. Some patients experience a temporary flare of symptoms around day three to five, which actually indicates the healing process is beginning.

Our structured rehabilitation programme begins at week two, initially focusing on range of motion exercises before progressing to strengthening work. This isn't passive recovery. Active participation in rehabilitation can improve outcomes by up to 40% according to recent research.

Combining PRP With Other Treatments

PRP doesn't exist in isolation. Many of our most successful cases involve strategic combination therapies. Coupling PRP with specific physical therapy protocols, nutritional support, and sometimes complementary treatments like focused shockwave therapy can enhance results significantly.

Can PRP be repeated if needed?

Unlike cortisone, which becomes less effective with repeated use, PRP can be safely repeated. Some patients benefit from a series of two to three injections spaced six weeks apart, particularly those with more advanced arthritis. Others may have a single booster injection annually to maintain their improvement.

We're also seeing promising results combining PRP with other biologics. Adding hyaluronic acid to PRP injections, for instance, may provide both the immediate cushioning effect of HA and the longer-term regenerative benefits of PRP.

The Research Pipeline and Future Developments

The field of regenerative medicine is advancing rapidly. Current research at Imperial College London and other leading institutions is investigating enhanced PRP preparations, including combining platelets with exosomes or using specific platelet activation methods to optimise growth factor release.

What about stem cell treatments?

Whilst stem cell therapy shows promise, the evidence for PRP in knee arthritis is currently stronger and the treatment is more accessible. PRP is also significantly less expensive and doesn't raise the regulatory concerns associated with stem cell treatments. That said, we're closely monitoring developments in cellular therapies and may integrate these as the evidence base strengthens.

Making Your Decision

Choosing between PRP and conventional treatments requires careful consideration of your specific situation. Factors including arthritis severity, previous treatment responses, activity goals, and financial considerations all play a role.

How do I know if I should try PRP?

If you've had limited success with conservative treatments, want to avoid or delay surgery, and have mild to moderate arthritis, PRP is worth serious consideration. The risk profile is minimal, essentially equivalent to a blood test and injection, whilst the potential benefits can be life-changing.

We offer comprehensive consultations including ultrasound assessment to determine your suitability for PRP. This isn't about selling a treatment. It's about finding the right solution for your specific situation.

Taking the Next Step

Living with knee arthritis doesn't mean accepting progressive limitation. PRP offers a scientifically-backed alternative that addresses the underlying pathology rather than just managing symptoms. For many Londoners, it's proving to be the bridge between conservative care and surgical intervention they've been searching for.

The London PRP Clinic offers evidence-based treatment protocols developed through years of experience and continuous refinement. Our combination of clinical expertise, advanced imaging guidance, and comprehensive rehabilitation support maximises your chances of successful outcome.

Contact us today to discuss whether PRP could be your path back to the active life you deserve. Initial consultations include detailed assessment, ultrasound evaluation, and a frank discussion about expected outcomes based on your specific presentation.

Your knees have carried you this far. Perhaps it's time to give them the biological support they need to carry you further.