A regenerative treatment that uses your body's own healing power to repair damaged tissue, reduce pain, and support long-term recovery.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections are a form of regenerative medicine used to promote healing and reduce pain, particularly in musculoskeletal conditions like tendon injuries, arthritis, and soft tissue damage. The treatment involves using a person's own blood to create a concentrated mixture of platelets, which are rich in growth factors that promote tissue repair and regeneration.
Your blood is made up of several components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Platelets are best known for their role in clotting, but they also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors that are essential to the healing process. When you get injured, your body naturally sends platelets to the damaged area to begin repair.
PRP therapy takes advantage of this natural process by concentrating the platelets from your own blood and injecting them directly into the area that needs healing. The result is a much higher concentration of growth factors at the injury site than your body would deliver on its own, which can accelerate and enhance the repair process.
Because PRP uses your own blood, there is virtually no risk of allergic reaction or rejection. This is one of the reasons it has become an increasingly popular option for patients looking for alternatives to surgery or long-term medication use.
PRP injections may be a good option if you are dealing with a condition where the body's natural healing process has stalled or needs a boost. Common conditions treated with PRP include:
PRP is often considered when other treatments like rest, physical therapy, bracing, and anti-inflammatory medications have not provided enough improvement. It is also a popular choice for patients who want to explore non-surgical options before considering a more invasive procedure.
The PRP injection process involves two main steps: preparing the PRP and performing the injection. The entire visit typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
First, a small amount of blood is drawn from your arm, similar to a routine blood test. This blood is then placed in a centrifuge, which is a machine that spins the blood at high speed to separate its components. After about 10 to 15 minutes of spinning, the platelet-rich plasma is isolated from the rest of the blood and collected into a syringe.
While the blood is being processed, the treatment area is cleaned and prepared. Depending on the location being treated, your doctor may use ultrasound guidance to ensure the PRP is delivered precisely where it is needed. Ultrasound allows your doctor to see the tendons, ligaments, or joint space in real time and place the injection with accuracy.
The concentrated PRP is then injected directly into the injured or damaged tissue. You may feel pressure or mild discomfort during the injection, which is normal. The entire injection portion of the procedure takes just a few minutes.
PRP injections are typically not covered by most insurance plans, as many insurers still consider this treatment investigational despite growing evidence supporting its effectiveness. This means PRP is most often an out-of-pocket expense. The cost reflects the specialized preparation process and the materials involved. Our office can provide you with a clear cost estimate during your consultation so there are no surprises.
Recovery from PRP injections is different from many other injection-based treatments because the goal is to stimulate an active healing response, not just reduce inflammation.
For the first few days after the injection, you may experience increased soreness and swelling at the treatment site. This is actually a positive sign, as it indicates that the healing process has been activated. You should avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen or naproxen) for several weeks after the procedure, because these can interfere with the inflammatory response that PRP relies on to work. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally safe to use for pain management.
Rest the treated area for the first 48 to 72 hours. Your doctor will give you specific activity restrictions based on the area treated. For joint injections, you may use crutches or a brace temporarily. For tendon injections, you may need to limit use of the affected limb.
A gradual return to activity is recommended over the following two to six weeks. Physical therapy is often incorporated into the recovery plan to support healing and rebuild strength. Full recovery and maximum benefit from PRP typically takes about three to six months, as the tissue repair process is gradual.
PRP is not a quick fix, and it is important to set realistic expectations. Because this treatment works by stimulating your body's own healing mechanisms, the results develop gradually over weeks and months.
Most patients begin to notice improvement around four to six weeks after the injection, with continued progress over the following months. Studies have shown that PRP can be particularly effective for chronic tendon injuries and mild to moderate osteoarthritis, with many patients reporting meaningful pain reduction and improved function.
Some patients achieve their desired results with a single injection, while others may benefit from a series of two to three injections spaced several weeks apart. Your doctor will evaluate your progress and determine if additional treatments would be helpful.
Because PRP promotes actual tissue repair rather than just masking symptoms, the benefits can be long-lasting for many patients. However, outcomes depend on the severity and nature of the condition, your overall health, and how well you follow the post-procedure rehabilitation plan.
Here is what you should know before your PRP injection:
Medications: Stop taking anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin) for at least five to seven days before the procedure, as these can interfere with platelet function. Your doctor will provide specific guidance on which medications to pause. Blood thinners may also need to be adjusted.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment. Being well hydrated makes the blood draw easier and can improve the quality of the PRP preparation.
Eating: Have a normal meal before your appointment. Do not come on an empty stomach, as you will be having blood drawn.
Expectations: Understand that PRP is a gradual treatment. You will not feel immediate relief like you might with a steroid injection. The healing process takes time, and patience is an important part of the equation.
Post-procedure medications: Plan to avoid anti-inflammatory drugs for several weeks after the injection. Your doctor will let you know exactly how long. Have acetaminophen on hand if you need something for discomfort.
Follow-up: Plan to keep your follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor your progress and adjust your rehabilitation plan as needed.
Conditions We Commonly Treat With PRP
Tennis elbow, Achilles tendinitis, rotator cuff tendinitis, and other stubborn tendon problems often respond well to PRP when rest and therapy alone have not been enough.
PRP can help reduce pain and improve function in arthritic joints, especially the knee, by delivering growth factors that support cartilage health and reduce inflammation.
Your platelets contain hundreds of growth factors that tell your body to repair damaged tissue. PRP therapy concentrates those platelets and places them exactly where healing is needed, giving your body a much stronger repair signal than it could produce on its own.
For patients who want to avoid surgery or delay it as long as possible, PRP offers a treatment option that works with your body's natural biology. While it is not a quick fix and results develop over months, the potential for genuine tissue repair makes it a compelling choice for the right conditions.
