10/21/2026
Knee arthritis injections: PRP or hyaluronic acid?
A 2026 research review pooled 19 randomized trials, about 1,770 adults with knee osteoarthritis. It compared two common knee injections: platelet-rich plasma (PRP), made from your own blood, and hyaluronic acid, sometimes called a "gel" injection.
What the researchers found:
• Pain: PRP had a very small edge at 3 months, but no difference at 1, 6 or 12 months.
• Function: at 12 months, PRP showed a modest improvement in daily function and stiffness, though fewer trials measured this.
• Safety: side effects were similar and mostly mild.
The authors' bottom line was that the evidence does not show PRP is clearly better than hyaluronic acid for knee arthritis. Neither injection is a cure, and results vary from person to person.
Knee arthritis care is rarely one-size-fits-all. Physical therapy and strengthening, weight management, activity changes, injections and, when the time is right, knee replacement all have a place. Choosing among them depends on your knee, your goals and your overall health.
If knee pain is holding you back, we're glad to walk through your options with you. Book a consultation with Movement Orthopedics in Clinton Township or Lenox: (586) 436-3785 | movementortho.com/schedule
Source: Peng YN, et al. Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl. 2026. DOI 10.1016/j.arrct.2025.100573 (summary via OrthoEvidence). General information only, not medical advice.