Knee Injections: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection in Singapore

Not every musculoskeletal condition requires surgery. For patients with joint or tendon pain that has not responded to conservative treatment, there are non-surgical alternatives worth exploring.

At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, a minimally invasive treatment that uses your own blood to support tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection

A platelet-rich plasma injection is an autologous treatment, meaning it is prepared from your own blood, which keeps the risk of allergic reaction or rejection low.

Platelets are tiny blood cells that play a central role in healing. They contain growth factors, which are proteins that signal your body to repair damaged tissue. In a PRP injection, these platelets are concentrated and delivered directly to the site of injury, giving your body a targeted boost where it needs it most.

It is commonly used in orthopaedic settings as part of a broader management plan for sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.

Conditions Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections Can Treat

PRP injections are used across a range of musculoskeletal conditions. They may be considered when conservative treatments such as rest, physiotherapy, or anti-inflammatory medication have not produced sufficient improvement.

Conditions commonly treated with PRP include:

Knee pain: Cartilage degeneration in the knee joint
Tendinopathy: Includes rotator cuff tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, and patellar tendinopathy
Lateral epicondylitis: Tennis elbow, pain on the outer side of the elbow
Medial epicondylitis: Golfer’s elbow, pain on the inner side of the elbow
Plantar fasciitis: Inflammation of tissue along the base of the foot
Hip pain: joint degeneration or soft tissue injury affecting the hip region
Ligament injuries: including partial tears that affect joint stability and movement control

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection

You may be suitable if…	A consultation will clarify if…
You have a tendon, joint, or soft tissue condition that has not responded to physiotherapy or conservative treatments	You have questions about whether PRP is appropriate given other medications or health conditions you are managing
You are looking for a non-surgical option before considering more invasive interventions	Your condition or medical history requires a more detailed assessment before PRP can be recommended
You have early-to-moderate osteoarthritis and are not yet at the stage where surgery is indicated	You are unsure whether your osteoarthritis is at an early-to-moderate stage

If the above describes you, PRP may provide the relief you’re looking for. Book an Orthopaedic Assessment to be sure.

How Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection Performed

The process begins before the injection itself and takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Here’s what typically happens:

A small blood sample is drawn from your arm.
The sample is placed in a centrifuge, which spins at high speed to separate its components and concentrate the platelets.
The concentrated preparation, which contains a significantly higher platelet concentration than normal blood, is injected into the affected area.
Once delivered, the growth factors within the platelets promote tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and support the repair of damaged tendons, cartilage, or soft tissue.
The full effect develops gradually over several weeks following treatment.

Recovery After Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection

Most patients return home the same day. Here is what to expect in the weeks that follow:

Some soreness or swelling at the injection site is normal and usually settles within a few days.
Strenuous activity and high-impact exercise are typically discouraged for one to two weeks.
Physiotherapy may be recommended to support rehabilitation. Your surgeon will advise if this applies to you.
Improvement is gradual. Many patients notice meaningful change between four and eight weeks after treatment.
Some patients benefit from more than one injection, spaced several weeks apart.

Benefits of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection

A PRP injection may offer several potential advantages for appropriate candidates:

Non-surgical: PRP is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require cuts, stitches, or general anaesthesia.
Uses your own biology: Because PRP is derived from your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is low.
Targeted delivery: The growth factors are delivered directly to the site of injury rather than circulating through the whole body.
Reduces the need for ongoing medication: For some patients, PRP may reduce reliance on anti-inflammatory medications.
Short procedure time: The appointment is typically completed within an hour, and most patients return home the same day.

Risks and Side Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection

PRP is generally well tolerated, but like any injection procedure, it carries some risks. The most commonly reported side effect is temporary soreness or discomfort at the injection site, which typically resolves within a few days.

Other possible side effects include:

Localised swelling or bruising at the injection site
A temporary increase in pain or stiffness in the first one to two weeks following injection, as part of the healing response
In rare cases, infection at the injection site

Serious complications are uncommon. Your doctor will discuss your full risk profile before proceeding.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) vs BMAC

PRP is one of several biologic injection options available for musculoskeletal conditions. Another one you may encounter is bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC).

	PRP	BMAC
Source	Blood sample	Bone marrow (pelvis)
Key components	Platelets and growth factors	Stem cells, growth factors, and regenerative components
Procedure complexity	Minimally invasive	More involved
Typically considered for	Broad range of tendon, joint, and soft tissue conditions	Complex or severe cases, such as significant cartilage damage or larger tendon tears
Evidence base	Most widely studied	Encouraging but largely lower-level evidence

Book a Consultation at Alps Orthopaedic Centre

If joint pain or a tendon condition has been affecting your daily life, it may be worth finding out whether a platelet-rich plasma injection could support your recovery.

At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, that conversation begins with a thorough assessment. Our orthopaedic specialist, Dr Jerry Chen, will give you a clear picture of your diagnosis, the treatment options available to you, and whether PRP is likely to be beneficial in your case.

If PRP is recommended, it is typically discussed as part of a broader management plan that may include physiotherapy, activity modification, and follow-up review to assess your response to treatment.

Book a consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection

Do PRP injections work?

For conditions such as knee pain and certain tendinopathies, multiple studies have shown meaningful improvements in pain and function compared to placebo or corticosteroid injections. Results vary depending on the condition, the area being treated, and individual biology.

How long will PRP treatment last?

Benefits may persist for 12 months or longer in many patients, though this varies between individuals and conditions. Some patients require repeat injections over time if symptoms return.

What are the side effects of PRP injections?

The most common side effect is temporary soreness or swelling at the injection site, which typically settles within a few days. A short-term pain flare in the first one to two weeks is possible and is considered part of the healing response. Serious complications are uncommon.

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Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH, where he successfully employed ERAS, benefiting more than 2,000 patients thus far.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases and return to their active lifestyles.
His clinical interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Hip and Knee, Sports Injuries, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible.

Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.

Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.

Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH, where he successfully employed ERAS, benefiting more than 2,000 patients thus far.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases and return to their active lifestyles.
His clinical interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Hip and Knee, Sports Injuries, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 15 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
As a driven and valued member, Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH.
Over the course of his career at SGH, Dr Chen has successfully employed ERAS and reduced the average hospitalisation stay for hip and knee replacement surgeries.
Going through these ERAS day surgeries has benefited more than 2,000 patients thus far, enabling them to suffer from less pain and recover faster.
The Alps team is committed to providing specialised orthopaedic care tailored to your unique condition. We offer comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.