We now have a meta-analyis of 10 level 1 studies (level 1 being the highest calibre of studies) showing that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) should be offered for knee osteoarthritis as it is more effective than hyaluronic acid injections (a frequently used treatment) at the 1 year mark. You can find the article about this under our research tab. This is encouraging news for those of us offering and receiving PRP.

Striving to obtain the best medical evidence for a treatment is a good goal to have. We are pleased to report one more study (well, really it is a review of several good studies, and in this case it is the highest level of medical research, even more exacting than randomized and blinded trials) showing that prolotherapy is an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis. This is good news to those suffering this type of knee pain. Not everyone is helped, as some arthritis is too far-advanced, but many people have a great response to prolotherapy as a treatment for arthritis.

After reviewing the medical literature we have decided to offer medical ozone injections to relieve painful joints. We are excited at this addition to our practice as it is yet another excellent option for the treatment of pain. It has been used for many years in Europe with success, and there are many studies on its use and effectiveness in the literature. We will be posting some of these under our research page in the near future. Medical ozone is injected into the affected joint following a local anaesthetic injection and is well-tolerated. 

An interesting study was published recently. Having a knee arthroscopy (a surgical procedure with a "telescope" looking into the knee, and cleaning out any part that is rough or loose) does not improve pain. Many, many people suffer from knee arthritis and so this is helpful in deciding on a course of action. Having a knee replacement may be the eventual answer, but in the mean time regenerative injections (perineural injecting of dextrose, or prolotherapy, or PRP) can be a big help in reducing symptoms, and may even prevent the "kneed" to do surgery at all.