Does PRP Help Cartilage Grow Back? What New Imaging Studies Reveal

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano

Living with knee osteoarthritis means living with pain, stiffness, and the fear that surgery may be the only solution. The root problem? Loss of cartilage — the smooth cushion that protects your joints. Most treatments only manage symptoms. Patients often ask: “Can PRP actually help my cartilage grow back?”

Does PRP Help Cartilage Grow Back? Insights From Some Studies

Using MRI and ultrasound, multiple studies have reported increases in knee cartilage thickness after PRP injections. While we never promise regeneration, these findings suggest PRP may influence not just pain, but also the structure of the joint itself.

Credit where it’s due: Dr. Chris Centeno highlighted these studies in his August 2025 LinkedIn post.

1) MRI Changes After Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in Knee Osteoarthritis (Randomized Clinical Trial)”  Raeissadat et al., 2020 (MRI)

Link to Article

Compared PRP-treated knees with untreated knees.

PRP group showed more cartilage volume and less inflammation.

2) Effects of Intra-articular Platelet Rich Plasma on Cartilage Thickness in Knee Osteoarthritis Johnson et al., 2022 (Ultrasound)

Link to Article

Cartilage measured before and after PRP injections.

At 6 months, cartilage was thicker and patients had less pain.

3) Exploring the Efficacy of Biologics in Knee Osteoarthritis

Pundkar et al., 2024 (Ultrasound)

Link to Article

Repeated measures at 3 and 6 months.

Found increased cartilage thickness with symptom improvement.

What This Means for You

Studies show PRP may help knees not just feel better, but also show signs of cartilage thickening on imaging.

This doesn’t mean cartilage always “grows back,” and PRP is not FDA-approved for osteoarthritis.

But for patients seeking alternatives outside insurance, PRP may be a forward-looking option to explore before surgery.

Let's Do Something About Your Knee Pain

If knee pain is limiting your performance, lifestyle, or family time, let’s review your imaging and see if PRP belongs in your strategy. My clinic uses advanced diagnostics and image-guided precision to help you make smart, reversible choices.

Schedule your consultation today in Dallas or Plano.

Compliance Note

PRP is prepared with FDA-cleared devices, but its use for knee arthritis is off-label. Results vary. No outcome can be guaranteed. All claims here are limited to what peer-reviewed studies have reported.

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