HYDERABAD: The Telangana Medical Council (TMC) is currently reviewing a complaint alleging that Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is unethical and a scam. The complaint was filed by leading orthopaedic surgeons from both the private and government sectors, including Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS).
Dr K. Mahesh Kumar, Chairman of the Telangana Medical Council, confirmed to TOI that the council is examining multiple complaints regarding PRP therapy, particularly concerns over its effectiveness and marketing practices.
Concerns raised by medical experts
Over the past few months, 75 renowned orthopaedic surgeons, including those from Osmania, Gandhi, and NIMS hospitals, have submitted written complaints. They argue that PRP therapy, which has been in use for the past three to four decades, lacks scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. The surgeons claim that high-quality research has shown PRP therapy to be no more than a placebo, with no proven regenerative effects on cartilage.
Allegations of a multi-crore scam
According to the complaints, PRP therapy is aggressively promoted by a group of doctors and paramedical personnel who are not qualified to treat arthritis. These professionals are accused of falsely advertising PRP as a miracle cure for knee arthritis, using media endorsements from celebrities to mislead patients.
Medical experts state that cartilage, once worn out, cannot regenerate, making PRP therapy’s claims misleading. Despite this, some centres charge between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 per injection. In some cases, ‘Pain Clinics’ have reportedly inflated costs, charging patients up to Rs 3 lakh per treatment. One such centre claims to have treated 65,000 patients, amounting to an estimated Rs 2,000 crore in revenue.
Warnings from Orthopaedic experts
Doctors warn that knee arthritis is a chronic degenerative condition, and while patients seek non-surgical solutions, PRP therapy exploits this need with false claims. Some patients have reportedly suffered complications, including infections and accelerated joint degeneration.
Dr K. Sudhir Reddy, a leading Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Hyderabad, stated that multiple clinics are misleading patients by falsely promoting PRP therapy as revolutionary. He cited high-quality randomised controlled trials showing that PRP has no impact on cartilage growth or tissue healing.
He further explained that cartilage does not regenerate, contrary to claims made by some clinics. Additionally, some pain management clinics mislead patients by using ultrasound for cartilage assessment, despite radiologists confirming that only X-rays or MRIs provide accurate evaluations.
Many patients, believing these claims, have sold land, taken loans, and faced financial instability, only to find that their condition worsened. The Telangana Orthopaedic Surgeons Association (TOSA) has warned the public against such treatments and urged them to seek scientifically validated medical options.
The TMC is expected to take further action after reviewing the complaints.