Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage protecting your knee joint gradually wears down. This degradation causes pain, stiffness, and swelling as bones rub against one another, often prompting the body to form bone spurs and resulting in decreased mobility.
When lifestyle adjustments and pain medications no longer provide sufficient relief, joint injections may offer a promising alternative. These treatments, sometimes called orthobiologics, are delivered directly into the joint to reduce inflammation and support healing.
Options for Joint Injection Therapy
1. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections
HA gel injections like Durolane® and Supartz® mimic your body’s natural joint fluid, helping lubricate and cushion the knee. These are typically recommended for mild to moderate OA and can deliver relief lasting six to twelve months.
2. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP uses a concentration of your own blood platelets rich in growth factors, aimed at promoting tissue healing and reducing inflammation. At Nervana Medical, we utilize PRP to support long-term joint health and potentially delay surgical intervention.
Why Combine PRP with HA?
Emerging research shows that combining PRP with HA may offer enhanced benefits over each treatment individually:
- A meta-analysis found that the combination can better reduce pain (at 6 months) and improve function (at 12 months), based on WOMAC scores.
- An independent study involving 360 patients noted that the PRP + HA combo significantly improved pain and joint function compared to PRP or HA alone
- Additional clinical reviews support short- to mid-term effectiveness of the combined treatment, particularly for grade II–III knee osteoarthritis.
Overall evidence indicates that combining HA’s lubricating and cushioning benefits with PRP’s regenerative support can deliver more comprehensive relief for knee OA sufferers. These therapies tend to be more conducive to overall healing than a typical cortisone shot as it addresses the underlying problem rather than just masking the symptoms- PRP is regenerative while hyaluronic acid provides cushioning/lubrication to the joint space.
How We Treat Knee OA at Nervana Medical
At Nervana Medical in Sandy, Utah, we offer a personalized, science-backed approach:
- Thorough Evaluation
We assess your knee symptoms, imaging, and daily activity goals to determine whether PRP, HA injections, or a combination is most appropriate. - Tailored Treatment Plans
- Durolane® for its single-injection convenience and long-acting relief.
- Supartz® when a series of injections suits gradual improvement.
- PRP, used alone or paired with HA, for regenerative support and tissue healing.
- Integrated Regenerative Focus
Our patients often benefit from the synergistic effects of combining HA with PRP—enhanced pain relief and improved joint function with minimal side effects. - Post-Injection Guidance
Injection is just one part of recovery. We recommend guided physical therapy and a rehab plan to reinforce outcomes and optimize joint health.
Understanding the WOMAC Score
When researching knee osteoarthritis treatments like PRP and hyaluronic acid injections (Durolane® or Supartz®), you may see studies mention improvements in something called the WOMAC score.
WOMAC stands for Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. It’s a scientifically validated questionnaire used worldwide to measure three key areas of joint health:
- Pain – discomfort during walking, stair climbing, at rest, or at night
- Stiffness – how tight or immobile the knee feels, especially after resting
- Physical Function – how well you can perform daily activities like standing, bending, getting in and out of a car, or shopping
Each question is scored from 0 (no problem) to 4 (extreme difficulty). The total score reflects the severity of your osteoarthritis symptoms.
- Lower scores mean less pain, stiffness, and better function.
- Higher scores mean more severe symptoms.
Clinical research shows that combining PRP with hyaluronic acid often results in greater WOMAC score improvements compared to either treatment alone. This means patients report less pain, more flexibility, and better mobility—often for months after treatment.
At Nervana Medical in Sandy, Utah, we use the WOMAC score to track your progress so we can see your real improvements over time and make any needed adjustments to your care plan.
Is This Right for You?
If you’ve been dealing with persistent knee osteoarthritis pain and want to explore non-surgical, regenerative options, we invite you to schedule a consultation. We proudly serve Sandy, Salt Lake City, Draper, Cottonwood Heights, South Jordan and surrounding areas!
Explore how Durolane®, Supartz®, and PRP treatments can help you reclaim mobility and ease your discomfort—naturally and effectively.