Procedure Description:
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative medical treatment that uses a patient’s own blood to stimulate healing in injured or degenerated tissues. The blood is processed to concentrate platelets, which are rich in growth factors that support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote regeneration. PRP can be injected into joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, or discs depending on the clinical indication.
Why PRP?
What do Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal, Kobe Bryant, and Alex Rodriguez all have in common? They have all used PRP to promote healing and recovery. Athletes and non athletes alike trying to perform their best or just stay mobile and functional can benefit from PRP. Whereas steroid injections can cause local tissue weakening and systemic side effects, PRP uses the patient’s own blood so the risk of adverse reactions is minimal. It provides a non-surgical, drug-free alternative to conventional treatments offering long-term benefits without significant side effects. There is growing evidence that PRP is safe and effective for a wide variety of painful conditions.
What It Treats:
PRP therapy is commonly used for the following conditions:
Tendon injuries (e.g., tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy)
Ligament sprains or tears
Mild to moderate osteoarthritis (knee, shoulder, hip)
Muscle injuries or strains
Degenerative disc disease (cervical and lumbar spine)
Post-surgical healing or recovery
Chronic joint or soft tissue pain
How It Is Performed:
Blood Draw: A small amount of the patient’s blood (typically 10–60 mL) is drawn from a vein.
Centrifugation: The blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich portion.
Injection: The PRP is injected directly into the affected area using ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance for precision.
Duration: The entire procedure typically takes 30–60 minutes.
Pre-Procedure Instructions:
To optimize your results, follow these guidelines:
Avoid NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) for at least 7 days before the procedure as they may reduce the effectiveness of platelets.
Stay hydrated and eat a light meal before your appointment.
Discuss medications and supplements with your provider to ensure safety.
Arrange for transportation if you are receiving sedation or if the treated area may limit mobility post-procedure.
What to Expect After the Procedure:
Mild pain, stiffness, or swelling at the injection site is normal and typically lasts a few days.
Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting involving the treated area for at least 1–2 weeks.
Ice application may be used for comfort in the first 24–48 hours, but avoid anti-inflammatory medications unless directed.
Physical therapy may be recommended to support recovery and maximize results.
Results timeline varies; most patients notice improvement within 4–6 weeks, with continued progress over several months.
Note: PRP is considered safe with a low risk of complications because it uses your own blood. However, as with any injection, there is a small risk of infection, bleeding, or local tissue irritation.
If you have further questions about PRP or whether it is right for you, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Evidence for PRP
Here are some studies evaluating the effectiveness of PRP for knee osteoarthritis:
Study (First Author, Year) | Study Type | Key Findings | References |
Bensa et al., 2025 | Meta-analysis of RCTs | PRP provides clinically significant pain and functional improvement vs. placebo, especially with high platelet concentration, up to 12 months | [1] |
Hong et al., 2021 | Systematic review & meta-analysis | PRP superior to placebo, NSAIDs, and hyaluronic acid (HA) for pain and function at 6 months; similar safety profile | [2] |
Costa et al., 2023 | Systematic review & meta-analysis | PRP as effective or more effective than HA, corticosteroids, and saline for pain and function at 6 months; low-quality evidence | [3] |
Mende et al., 2024 | Systematic review & meta-analysis | PRP improves pain, function, and quality of life up to 12 months; minor, temporary adverse effects | [4] |
Kim et al., 2023 | Meta-analysis of RCTs | PRP (both leukocyte-poor and leukocyte-rich) superior to HA for pain and function at 6 and 12 months; no significant difference in adverse events | [5] |
Meheux et al., 2016 | Systematic review of RCTs | PRP results in significant clinical improvements up to 12 months; superior to HA for WOMAC scores | [6] |
Li et al., 2022 | Literature review of RCTs | PRP improves knee scores at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months; no increased risk of adverse events vs. HA | [7] |
Dai et al., 2017 | Meta-analysis of RCTs | PRP superior to HA and saline for pain and function at 12 months; effect sizes exceed MCID; no increased adverse events | [8] |
Vilchez-Cavazos et al., 2023 | Systematic review & meta-analysis | PRP effective for pain and function in both early and advanced knee OA; benefit not limited by OA stage | [9] |
Riewruja et al., 2022 | Clinical and in vitro study | PRP improves pain and function in knee OA patients; favorable cytokine profile and chondrocyte proliferation | [10] |
The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience, in its consensus guidelines, recognizes PRP as safe and more effective than hyaluronic acid for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, with benefits in pain and function at 6 and 12 months and no significant increase in adverse events.[11]
Collectively, these studies and guidelines support the use of PRP as a safe and effective option for improving pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, with benefits persisting up to 12 months.
Related Blog Links:
Biological Therapy Approaches for Chronic Pain Management
Muscle Pain Relief Through Regenerative Treatments
PRP vs. Stem Cell Therapy: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for You?
Regenerative Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease: Hope Beyond Surgery
For more blog articles about regenerative medicine, CLICK HERE
References:
Bensa A, Previtali D, Sangiorgio A, et al.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025;53(3):745-754.
Hong M, Cheng C, Sun X, et al.
BioMed Research International. 2021;2021:2191926.
How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Compare Clinically to Other Therapies in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Costa LAV, Lenza M, Irrgang JJ, Fu FH, Ferretti M.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023;51(4):1074-1086.
Mende E, Love RJ, Young JL.
Military Medicine. 2024;189(11-12):e2347-e2356.
Kim JH, Park YB, Ha CW.
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery. 2023;143(7):3879-3897.
Meheux CJ, McCulloch PC, Lintner DM, Varner KE, Harris JD.
Arthroscopy : The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery : Official Publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association. 2016;32(3):495-505.
Li W, Pan J, Lu Z, et al.
Journal of Orthopaedic Science : Official Journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association. 2022;27(2):420-428.
Dai WL, Zhou AG, Zhang H, Zhang J.
Arthroscopy : The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery : Official Publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association. 2017;33(3):659-670.e1.
Vilchez-Cavazos F, Blázquez-Saldaña J, Gamboa-Alonso AA, et al.
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery. 2023;143(3):1393-1408.
Riewruja K, Phakham S, Sompolpong P, et al.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022;23(2):890.
Hunter CW, Deer TR, Jones MR, et al.
Journal of Pain Research. 2022;15:2683-2745.