What Is PRP Injections?
Platelets are blood cells mainly known for helping blood clot. They also carry proteins called growth factors that are involved in the body's normal healing response. To make PRP, we draw a small amount of your blood and spin it in a centrifuge, a machine that separates the blood into layers. The layer with a higher concentration of platelets is then injected into the injured area.
Because PRP comes from your own blood, it is a natural, minimally invasive option, and it has become one of the most widely used orthobiologic treatments in sports medicine. Studies have shown benefit for conditions such as knee osteoarthritis and chronic tendon problems like tennis elbow, and many patients report less pain and better function. For many people, it is a way to stay active and explore non-surgical care before considering surgery.
Prepared from your own blood and injected under ultrasound guidance in our office.
Who Is a Candidate?
PRP may be worth discussing if you have a condition that has not improved enough with rest, physical therapy, bracing or other standard care, and you would like to try a non-surgical option before considering surgery. Conditions we may consider it for include:
- Chronic tendon problems (tendinopathy), such as tennis elbow
- Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis
- Some partial tendon injuries and overuse sports injuries
PRP is generally not used if you have an active infection, certain blood or platelet disorders, active cancer, or if you are unable to stop anti-inflammatory medicines around the time of treatment. Dr. Adelman, who is dual board-certified in family medicine and sports medicine, and Dr. Chalal, a sports medicine surgeon who tries non-operative care first, will talk with you about whether PRP makes sense for your situation.
What to Expect
The visit starts with a blood draw from your arm, much like routine lab work. While the sample is processed, the treatment area is cleaned and the skin may be numbed. Your physician then uses diagnostic ultrasound to see the tendon or joint in real time and guide the needle to the right spot.
The whole visit usually takes under an hour. Depending on your condition, your plan may include one injection or a short series spaced a few weeks apart.
Risks and Side Effects
Because PRP comes from your own blood, allergic reactions are unlikely. Possible side effects include:
- Soreness, swelling or stiffness at the injection site for several days
- Bruising where the blood was drawn or the injection was given
- Rare risks such as infection, bleeding or nerve irritation
Post-injection soreness is common and can be more noticeable than after a cortisone shot.
Recovery
Most people return to daily activities within a day or two but are asked to avoid heavy use of the treated area for a short period. Your physician will usually ask you to avoid anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen for a period before and after the injection, since they may interfere with the platelet response.
Improvement from PRP typically builds gradually over several weeks to a few months as your body responds. A guided exercise program is an important part of the plan. Our physical therapists work in the same office and share your chart, so therapy can be timed around your injection.
Physical therapy happens in our office, with therapists who share your chart. Learn about on-site physical therapy.
Insurance and Cost
PRP is usually not covered by Medicare or commercial insurance plans, so most patients pay for it themselves. Our team can explain the cost before you decide. Your office visit and any imaging may still be billed to your insurance as usual.
When to Talk to a Specialist
Call our office if a tendon or joint problem has lasted more than a few months despite rest and therapy, or if you want to understand your non-surgical options before considering surgery.
After any injection, seek urgent care for fever, spreading redness, warmth or drainage at the injection site, which can be signs of infection.
