The knee is the best-studied joint in all of orthobiologics. Here is an honest look at what PRP and cellular treatments can do for knee arthritis and tendon problems, and what the evidence actually supports.
Download the printable guide (PDF)PRP is our workhorse in the knee. For arthritis inside the joint we generally favor leukocyte-poor PRP; for stubborn tendon problems like patellar tendinopathy, leukocyte-rich PRP is often the better choice.
We frequently pair PRP with Protein Concentrate, prepared from the same blood draw, to add concentrated anti-inflammatory proteins when inflammation is a major driver of your pain.
BMAC is reserved for selected cases, typically more advanced cartilage or bone problems, or as an add-on during surgery.
New to these treatments? Start with the orthobiologics overview for how PRP, Protein Concentrate, and BMAC actually work.
Want the complete picture, including non-biologic options? See the full Knee Arthritis Roadmap
The knee has the strongest evidence base in the field. In April 2026 the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) issued a guidance statement concluding that PRP can be considered for mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis in patients who remain symptomatic after conservative care such as therapy, anti-inflammatories, and activity modification. That same guidance was honest that more high-quality studies are still needed to pin down exactly who benefits most and how best to prepare and dose PRP. We will tell you where your specific knee falls, including when the honest answer is that a biologic is unlikely to help.
The strongest overall evidence for orthobiologics remains PRP for knee osteoarthritis, recognized in an April 2026 guidance statement from the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Evidence for other joints and products is earlier and still developing, and we'll always tell you where yours falls.
The honest answer depends on you. Here is the general picture, and we settle it together after we examine you and review your imaging.
On what to expect around the procedure, see preparing for your procedure and after your procedure.
We'll evaluate your knee and give you a straight recommendation, whatever it is, biologics, something simpler, or surgery when that's genuinely the right call.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Orthobiologic treatments are not FDA-approved to cure or reverse any condition, results vary from person to person, and they are not right for everyone. Whether a treatment is appropriate for you is a decision we make together after an evaluation.
Wichman Orthopedics