Short answer: in knee osteoarthritis, three recent reviews found that PRP with a higher platelet dose tended to work better. Dr. Tortland counts platelets before and after processing and concentrates them 12 to 15 times baseline. This guide covers what the reviews found and what to ask any provider. For cost, candidacy and booking, see PRP for knee pain in Connecticut.
What 3 recent reviews found about platelet dose
PRP is not a single standardized product. Platelet concentration, total platelet dose, leukocyte content, preparation method, injection technique and patient selection can all affect results. Three 2025 papers, listed in the references below, looked at dose directly.
- Berrigan et al. (Arthroscopy, 2025): a systematic review concluding that a greater platelet dose may yield better clinical outcomes in knee osteoarthritis.
- Hooper et al. (PM&R, 2025): a systematic review and meta-analysis finding that outcomes were associated with the total number of deliverable platelets.
- Bensa et al. (American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2025): a meta-analysis of randomized trials finding that PRP improvement was clinically significant and influenced by platelet concentration.
These are group findings, not a promise for any one knee. Results still depend on arthritis severity, patient factors and technique, and PRP does not regrow lost cartilage. For that question, see Does PRP regrow cartilage?
How Dr. Tortland prepares PRP for knee arthritis
PRP is prepared from a sample of the patient's own blood, but not every preparation is the same. Dr. Tortland's approach is built around measuring and customizing each step rather than relying on a standard kit's expected yield.
1. A larger blood draw
Dr. Tortland draws a higher volume of blood than most standard PRP kits use, which typically require only 20 to 60 mL. A larger starting sample allows a more concentrated, higher-dose preparation.
2. Measuring, not guessing
Before processing, the blood is run through an in-office clinical hematology analyzer to establish the patient's baseline platelet count. The blood is then processed using a double-spin technique with the Exo Advantage system, and the resulting PRP is measured again on the same analyzer, confirming the platelet concentration rather than assuming it. Dr. Tortland concentrates platelets 12 to 15 times baseline.
3. A preparation tailored to the patient
The final concentration and composition are adjusted for the patient's age, baseline platelet count and the condition being treated. For arthritic joints, Dr. Tortland typically selects leukocyte-poor PRP; for tendon injuries, leukocyte-rich PRP is often more appropriate.
4. Image-guided injection
The prepared PRP is injected under ultrasound guidance to help ensure accurate placement.
Questions to ask any provider before PRP for your knee
- How much blood do you draw? Many standard kits use 20 to 60 mL. A larger draw allows a more concentrated preparation.
- Do you count platelets before and after processing? A baseline count and a count of the finished PRP show what you are actually getting. Without them, the dose is a guess.
- Is the PRP leukocyte-poor or leukocyte-rich? For arthritic joints, Dr. Tortland typically selects leukocyte-poor PRP.
- Is the injection guided by ultrasound? Image guidance helps confirm the PRP lands where it is meant to.
- Is the preparation matched to my age, baseline platelet count and condition? A fixed kit protocol treats every knee the same.
For more on comparing providers, see how to compare PRP providers.
Dr. Tortland's view on PRP dose
"Patients sometimes assume that because I added PRP to my practice back in 2007, I treat it as the default answer for knee arthritis. I don't," says Dr. Tortland. "I measure a patient's own baseline platelet count before and after processing rather than assuming a kit's expected yield, because 'PRP' isn't one standardized product, and the preparation that helps one knee isn't automatically right for another. What I actually care about is whether the evidence and the exam point the same direction for a specific patient, not whether PRP is the trendiest option on the table."
Limits of this guide
This overview describes general evidence and typical practice patterns, not a diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual knee. Study results describe group averages, and some patients see little or no improvement. Whether PRP, another non-surgical option or surgery is right for your knee requires an in-person evaluation.
Related reading
- Knee arthritis injections: PRP vs gel vs cortisone
- Knee arthritis options: PRP vs BMA vs MFAT
- Alternatives to knee replacement
- Knee osteoarthritis: what it is and how it is treated
- PRP therapy: methodology and evidence
Next step
The right question is whether PRP makes sense for your knee. A proper evaluation looks at the source of the pain, examination findings, imaging, arthritis severity, previous treatment and your goals.
See PRP for knee pain in Connecticut for cost, candidacy and booking with Dr. Tortland in Glastonbury.
