PRP Injections for Knee Pain in Wheat Ridge, Colorado
The knee is where PRP has the most research behind it. For mild to moderate arthritis and stubborn tendon pain, an ultrasound-guided PRP injection from Dr. Kroner can mean months of relief and a real shot at avoiding, or at least delaying, surgery.
Knee PRP at a glance
Best evidence: mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis
Typical course: 1 injection for tendons, 1-2 per year for arthritis
Downtime: a few rest days, then graded return
Cost: $700 per injection, $500 for members
Knee problems PRP can help
Knee osteoarthritis that is mild to moderate on imaging, where cartilage is worn but not gone. Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee) and quadriceps tendon pain that have not settled with rehab. Degenerative meniscus tears and low-grade MCL or LCL injuries that keep aching months after the original injury, when surgery is not wanted or not warranted.
What the evidence says
For knee arthritis, a PRP injections have outperformed both hyaluronic acid and cortisone in multiple randomized trials, with the gap widening at six and twelve months. It does not regrow cartilage, and it will not rescue a bone-on-bone knee. For patellar tendinopathy, PRP paired with a structured strengthening program has shown good results.
How Ridgeview approaches knee PRP
- Exam plus in-office ultrasound to confirm what is actually generating the pain
- Review of any X-rays or MRI you already have, so nothing is repeated unnecessarily
- Honest talk about whether PRP, hyaluronic acid, cortisone, or rehab alone is the better first move
- Ultrasound-guided injection into the joint or the exact tendon lesion
- A strength and return-to-activity plan, because PRP works best alongside rehab and strength training, not instead of it
Worth a conversation if
Knee arthritis limits walking, stairs, or sleep
Cortisone helped for a few weeks, then wore off
Tendon pain below the kneecap that flares with jumping or stairs
You have been told replacement is coming “eventually” and want to push that out
Related conditions
What to expect from a knee PRP injection.
Plan on about a half hour in the office and a quiet week afterward.
Before: pause anti-inflammatories for the period you are given, eat normally, and drink water. Bring prior imaging.
Day of: blood draw, preparation, and an ultrasound-guided injection. You walk out on your own.
First week: expect the knee to feel sore and stiff for two to five days. Easy walking is encouraged; hard training is not.
Weeks two to twelve: a graded strengthening plan while the tissue responds. Most patients notice any improvement at four to six weeks.
Follow-up: Dr. Kroner rechecks progress and decides with you whether additional treatments could add value.
Knee PRP questions
Will PRP fix a torn meniscus?
Not in the way surgery repairs or cleans up a tear. What PRP can do is calm a degenerative tear that keeps aching, particularly in people who would rather not have an arthroscopy or who have been told surgery is unlikely to help. Locking and catching are a different story and need evaluation first.
How long does knee PRP last for arthritis?
In studies, benefit commonly holds for six to twelve months after a series, and some patients repeat the series yearly. Results vary with how advanced the arthritis is, which is why candidacy is checked on ultrasound and imaging before you commit.
Can I keep running or cycling?
Cycling and walking usually resume within days. Running and jumping are held back for a few weeks and then rebuilt gradually. You get a written timeline for your sport, not a generic “take it easy.”
Is your knee a good candidate?
Find out in one visit. Sports medicine evaluations are $250, waived for Ridgeview members, and open to anyone in the west Denver metro.