PRP science: why quality matters more than quantity
Science confirms: in PRP, quality matters more than quantity
For more than twenty years, Regen Lab has upheld a clear conviction:
in regenerative medicine, it is not the sheer number of platelets that matters, but the quality and precision of the preparation.
A new systematic review and meta-analysis published by Simental-Mendia et al. in Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research (2025) now supports this position with high-level evidence.
PRP and knee osteoarthritis: what the new meta-analysis shows
The paper by Simental-Mendia et al. assessed 43 randomised controlled clinical trials investigating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (knee OA).
The authors focused on a key parameter that is often under-recognised in daily practice: the platelet concentration factor in relation to the patient’s baseline platelet count.
Core finding: maximum benefit with moderate concentration
The conclusions are clear:
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PRP formulations with a moderate platelet concentration (≤4x baseline)
→ provide the strongest and most consistent clinical improvements in pain, function and quality of life for patients with knee OA. -
In contrast, very high platelet concentrations (>4x baseline)
→ do not enhance clinical outcomes
→ and may actually dampen the biological response, with less benefit for the patient.
In other words, more concentrated does not mean more effective.
Why excessively high platelet concentrations can be counter-productive
From a biological perspective, an over-concentrated PRP may lead to:
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An excessive load of pro-inflammatory cytokines
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A local environment that is less favourable to tissue repair
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A risk of increased pain or inconsistency in the clinical response
The meta-analysis therefore confirms what many clinicians observe in real life:
an “over-boosted” PRP does not guarantee a better result and may disrupt the delicate balance of the regenerative response.
Regen Lab: PRP standardised in the optimal range – by design
Regen Lab medical devices have been engineered with a clear objective:
to deliver a standardised, reliable and reproducible PRP positioned within the concentration window identified by science as optimal.
Practically, this means:
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Regen Lab systems are designed to achieve a moderate platelet concentration factor, aligned with the levels highlighted as most effective in the meta-analysis.
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Preparation protocols are simple, standardised and reproducible, limiting inter-operator variability.
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The goal is not to chase the highest technically achievable concentration, but to provide a “right-dose” PRP grounded in evidence.
It is therefore no coincidence that the clinical outcomes reported by users of our systems are consistent with the conclusions of this high-level analysis.
Towards truly evidence-based regenerative medicine
The work of Simental-Mendia et al. represents an important step for evidence-based regenerative medicine:
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It confirms the role of PRP as a key therapeutic option in knee osteoarthritis.
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It clarifies the importance of formulation quality, especially regarding platelet concentration.
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It supports the vision long championed by Regen Lab:
standardising PRP to secure outcomes and better serve patients.
By aligning with these data, clinicians gain a stronger framework to refine protocols, compare studies and integrate PRP into structured care pathways.
FAQ – PRP, platelet concentration and knee osteoarthritis
1. Why is platelet concentration in PRP so important?
Because it determines the profile of growth factors, cytokines and inflammatory mediators delivered into the joint. A moderate concentration appears to provide the best balance between regenerative stimulation and clinical tolerability.
2. Isn’t a higher PRP concentration always more effective?
No. Above four times the baseline platelet count, the meta-analysis shows that outcomes are not better and may actually be worse. The key is the quality of the biological signal, not an escalation in concentration.
3. Do all PRP systems on the market produce the same concentration?
No. Devices and protocols vary significantly. This is why it is crucial to select systems that deliver a controlled, documented and reproducible concentration, such as those developed by Regen Lab.
4. Are these findings relevant only to knee osteoarthritis?
The meta-analysis focuses on knee OA, but the principles it highlights – the central role of PRP quality and the limits of extreme concentrations – are relevant across regenerative orthopaedics more broadly.
Conclusion: a clear direction for clinicians
Science now confirms what clinical experience has long suggested:
In PRP therapy, the quality and standardisation of the preparation are more important than the pursuit of maximum concentration.
By choosing devices designed to deliver a standardised PRP within the optimal concentration range, healthcare professionals can:
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enhance the consistency and predictability of their results,
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embed their practice within a rigorously evidence-based framework,
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and offer patients regenerative treatments that are both innovative and scientifically robust.