VIMS offers free PRP treatment for joint pain

The Visakhapatnam Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) has been offering Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment free of cost since December 2022, making it the first government hospital in Andhra Pradesh to do so. The procedure, which is widely used in corporate hospitals, provides relief from joint pain without surgery.

So far, 242 patients have been treated for one leg, 40 for both legs, and 78 patients have benefited from the facility this year alone. “We have started offering PRP treatment free of cost, a procedure that was until recently confined to corporate hospitals. No other government hospital in the State is providing this facility,” said VIMS Director K. Rambabu.

PRP involves drawing a small quantity of the patient’s blood, similar to a routine test. The plasma is separated using a specialised machine, and concentrated platelets are injected into the affected joint. In some cases, a second injection may be required. The therapy has shown encouraging results in treating osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and ligament damage.

Doctors recommend PRP when pain persists despite long-term medication. Unlike surgery, the procedure is painless, performed on an outpatient basis, and requires no hospital stay. Patients typically resume normal activities within six months to a year.

Osteoarthritis is classified into four stages, and experts say PRP is most effective in the early stages. Recovery varies depending on age, weight, bone strength, thyroid function, and other medical conditions. Patients without additional health complications tend to recover faster.

In private hospitals, PRP costs between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000, depending on the joint being treated. The free facility at VIMS has opened up access to many who would otherwise be unable to afford it.