Dr. Kone Rekha, a board-certified interventional pain specialist with the World Institute of Pain, has welcomed the Telangana Medical Council’s (TMC) decision to investigate the unethical promotion of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy for knee osteoarthritis (OA). She emphasized the importance of evidence-based medical practices and the need to prevent misleading claims that could compromise patient safety.
Concerns Over PRP Misrepresentation
Dr. Rekha raised concerns over certain pain clinics in Hyderabad that market PRP therapy as a definitive cure for knee OA, often claiming that it regenerates cartilage and can replace total knee replacement (TKR) surgery.
“There is no conclusive scientific evidence to support these claims. While PRP has anti-inflammatory properties and may provide temporary pain relief, multiple studies, including a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, have shown that it does not regenerate cartilage in knee joints,” said Dr. Rekha.
She also cited a randomized clinical trial published in JAMA, which found that PRP injections did not significantly improve knee pain or slow disease progression compared to placebo injections.
Call for Ethical Medical Practices
Dr. Rekha commended the TMC’s proactive approach in addressing the issue, stating, “It is crucial that medical professionals adhere to ethical standards and provide treatments grounded in robust scientific evidence. Patients deserve transparency and accuracy when making medical decisions.“
She warned that misleading promotions not only create false hope but also risk undermining the credibility of PRP therapy, which has legitimate applications in treating certain sports injuries.
Support for TMC’s Investigation
Dr. Rekha emphasized the need for strict regulatory oversight to ensure that medical treatments are promoted responsibly.
“The TMC’s decision to investigate these allegations is a significant step towards ensuring patient safety and upholding medical ethics. Misrepresentation of treatments can lead to financial loss, ineffective care, and a loss of trust in medical science,” she added.
With the TMC inquiry underway, the findings are expected to set a precedent for ethical medical advertising and patient safety regulations in Telangana.
