Controversial injections of platelet-rich plasma used for so-called vampire facials and musculoskeletal injuries may reduce pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, a sports medicine doctor says.

A group of Queensland coal-miners saw significant improvement in osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms after photo-activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, according to sports doctor and GP Dr Reehan Shah.

Among 41 mine workers in Mackay who received three fortnightly PRP injections, 90% reported knee pain was reduced at six and 12 months’ follow-up.

Twenty-five of the miners had been advised by an orthopaedic surgeon to undergo total knee replacement (TKR). But only four miners who failed to see improvement with PRP proceeded to TKR.