Knee osteoarthritis · combination injection
PRP + Hyaluronic Acid for the knee.
A two-component intra-articular injection, autologous PRP plus hyaluronic acid, for mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis.
PRP + HA
What is PRP + HA?
Autologous PRP delivers concentrated platelets and growth factors that may modulate inflammation and support local tissue repair. Hyaluronic acid restores the viscoelastic properties of synovial fluid, providing lubrication and shock absorption at the joint surface.
Combined intra-articular delivery aims to address both the biological drivers of OA symptoms (inflammation, signaling) and the mechanical ones (lost viscosity, joint surface friction) in a single procedural window.
Autologous PRP
From your blood · two-spin · Lp-PRP
Leukocyte-poor PRP, prepared in our on-site lab through controlled centrifugation. Lower-inflammatory profile preferred for intra-articular use, concentrated platelets deliver growth factors and signaling proteins that recruit endogenous repair processes.
Hyaluronic acid
Pharmaceutical-grade HA · viscosupplementation
Restores the viscoelastic properties of synovial fluid which decline with OA progression. Provides immediate lubrication while the PRP biologic cascade unfolds over weeks.
FDA regulatory disclosure
PRP is an autologous blood product prepared from the patient's own blood.
Hyaluronic acid products used for viscosupplementation are typically regulated as devices/drug-device combinations depending on the product.
Importantly, PRP has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a drug/biologic for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, and clinical use is based on physician judgment, current scientific evidence, and individualized patient evaluation. No claims are made regarding guaranteed outcomes, cartilage regeneration, or disease modification.
The procedure
What to expect during a visit
No hospital stay. No general anesthesia. The PRP is prepared in parallel with patient prep; both components are delivered in the same procedural window.
Intake & blood draw
Brief intake; venous blood collected for autologous PRP preparation.
PRP preparation
Two-spin centrifugation in our on-site lab, Lp-PRP for intra-articular use.
Image-guided delivery
Both PRP and HA delivered to the joint space under ultrasound guidance, with non-platelet-toxic anesthesia.
Recovery
Brief observation, post-procedure activity guidance, NSAID avoidance window.
Evidence base
What the evidence shows.
PRP + HA has been investigated in multiple RCTs and meta-analyses for symptomatic knee OA. The combination consistently demonstrates a favorable profile vs. either agent alone in mild-to-moderate disease.
Randomized comparison of PRP+HA vs. PRP alone vs. HA alone in knee OA. The combination demonstrated superior pain reduction at 12 months compared with either monotherapy.
Meta-analysis of RCTs of PRP+HA vs. HA alone in knee OA. The combination showed greater functional improvement at 6 and 12 months.
Prospective study of combined intra-articular PRP+HA. Sustained WOMAC improvement at 6-month follow-up in mild-to-moderate OA.
Systematic review and meta-analysis. Combined PRP+HA outperformed HA monotherapy across multiple knee-OA outcome measures.
Is this you?
When PRP + HA is the right combination.
This combination is most appropriate for mild-to-moderate knee OA. For more advanced disease, especially when subchondral bone is involved, cellular therapy is often the better conversation.
✓ Likely a fit
- Mild-to-moderate knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2–3)
- Symptoms despite PT, activity modification, and NSAIDs
- Confirmed knee OA on imaging (X-ray or MRI)
- Wanting both biologic and mechanical support in one visit
- Realistic expectations: gradual improvement over 4–12 weeks
Frequently asked
PRP + HA Answers
Why combine PRP with hyaluronic acid? +
The two agents address different aspects of knee OA. PRP contributes biologic signaling, recruiting endogenous repair, modulating inflammation. HA restores the viscoelastic properties of synovial fluid that decline with OA, providing mechanical lubrication. Clinical literature consistently shows the combination outperforms either agent alone in mild-to-moderate disease.
How is this different from a single PRP injection? +
Standard PRP delivers the biologic component only. PRP+HA adds immediate viscosupplementation: restoring joint-surface lubrication while the slower PRP cascade unfolds. For mild-to-moderate knee OA with mechanical symptoms (catching, stiffness), the combination is often the better fit.
What's the recovery and timeline? +
Plan for 24–72 hours of soreness at the injection site. Avoid strenuous activity for the first 48 hours; resume PT and normal activity gradually. NSAIDs avoided in the early window (to preserve the PRP cascade). Functional improvement typically over 4–12 weeks, with full assessment at 12 weeks and a 6-month review.
Does insurance cover PRP + HA? +
The PRP component is typically not covered by insurance. HA viscosupplementation is often partially covered for knee OA, depending on insurer and prior conservative care documentation. We provide transparent pricing during consultation and supply HSA/FSA reimbursement documentation where applicable.
How many injections will I need? +
Most patients receive a single combined PRP+HA injection. Depending on response and OA severity, a repeat injection at 6 months may be considered. We reassess at the 12-week follow-up and individualize the plan from there.
Related therapies
Other options for knee OA.
Schedule a knee OA consultation
Find out if PRP + HA fits your knee.
Dr. Glowney reviews your imaging, prior treatments, and symptom profile, and tells you honestly whether this combination, plain PRP, BMAC, or a different path is the better next step.
Or call 720-550-6175