When Is PRP Injection Recommended for Knee Cartilage Injury?

Cartilage injury can involve a surface defect or an osteochondral lesion, sometimes after a twist, impact or repeated loading. A clinician considers the injury location, depth, knee stability, swelling, movement and findings from examination or imaging. PRP is prepared from a sample of your blood and injected near the affected area. It is intended to support the local healing environment and may help symptoms, but it does not replace a missing piece of cartilage or correct an unstable joint.

Arrange an orthopaedic or sports-medicine assessment before booking an injection. Bring details of the injury, locking or giving-way episodes, activity limits and treatments already tried. Rehabilitation may include temporarily reducing impact, restoring knee motion, strengthening surrounding muscles and gradually returning to load. If PRP is discussed, ask where it would be placed, what preparation is needed, how exercise will be adjusted afterwards and what alternatives fit your cartilage finding. Read more about [PRP Injection](/treatments/non-surgical-orthopedics/prp-injection/).

Seek urgent assessment after a major injury if the knee looks deformed, cannot bear weight, becomes rapidly swollen, or cannot fully straighten. Prompt review is also sensible for repeated locking, a hot red joint with fever, or worsening pain at rest. These features need evaluation before an elective injection and may point to a different or additional problem.

What type and location of cartilage injury do I have? Could rehabilitation alone address my current limitation? What result would make PRP worthwhile for me? Are there reasons this injection may not suit my knee? How will we monitor progress and decide whether another treatment is needed?