What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP)?

Platelet-rich plasma is prepared by drawing a small sample of your own blood and processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets and their associated growth factors. This concentrated solution is then injected directly into the affected joint or tissue. Because PRP is derived from your own blood, there is no risk of allergic reaction or rejection.

How does PRP differ from a cortisone injection?

Cortisone injections are anti-inflammatory and work quickly — typically providing relief within days — but their effect is temporary and repeated injections can weaken tissue over time. PRP takes longer to produce results because it works by stimulating the body's own repair process rather than suppressing inflammation. The benefit of PRP is that it is intended to support longer-lasting improvement rather than short-term symptom relief.

What conditions respond well to PRP?

PRP has shown meaningful benefit for knee osteoarthritis, partial rotator cuff tears, tendinopathy (including tennis elbow and Achilles tendinopathy), trochanteric bursitis with gluteal tendinopathy, and other musculoskeletal conditions involving tissue degeneration or injury. It is particularly valuable for patients who have not had adequate response to corticosteroid injections or who are seeking a longer-duration alternative.

When will I notice improvement after PRP?

PRP works gradually — most patients begin noticing improvement at four to six weeks, with continued gains over three to six months. Because it supports the body's own healing process rather than simply suppressing pain, the onset is slower than a cortisone injection. Some patients require more than one treatment to achieve the best result.

Procedure

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

A same-day, minimally invasive treatment that uses concentrated growth factors from your own blood to reduce pain, support tissue repair, and provide longer-lasting relief for joint and tendon conditions that have not responded adequately to standard injections.

Who This May Help

PRP may be an option if you have chronic joint or tendon pain from osteoarthritis, a partial rotator cuff tear, tendinopathy, or gluteal tendinopathy — particularly if cortisone injections have provided only short-term relief or if you are looking for a longer-duration alternative. It is also appropriate for patients who have responded well to standard injections but are seeking a treatment option that supports the underlying repair process rather than temporarily suppressing inflammation.

A consultation with our clinical team will determine whether you are a candidate.

Overview

Platelet-rich plasma is prepared from a small sample of your own blood. The sample is processed in a centrifuge that separates the blood components and concentrates the platelets — the cells that carry growth factors responsible for tissue repair and regeneration. This concentrated solution is then injected precisely into the affected joint, tendon, or soft tissue under image guidance.

Because PRP is derived entirely from your own blood, there is no risk of allergic reaction or rejection. The procedure is performed on a same-day outpatient basis. The entire process — from blood draw to injection — typically takes under an hour, and patients return home the same day with minimal downtime.

What to Expect After the Procedure

Some temporary soreness or swelling at the injection site in the first few days after the procedure is normal and expected — this reflects the inflammatory phase of the healing response that PRP is designed to trigger. Anti-inflammatory medications are typically avoided for a period after the injection, as they can interfere with the healing process.

Most patients begin noticing meaningful improvement at four to six weeks, with continued gains over three to six months. Because PRP works by supporting the body’s own repair process, results build gradually rather than appearing immediately. Some patients benefit from more than one treatment session to achieve the best result. Our clinical team will guide your recovery and determine whether repeat treatment is appropriate based on your response.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Schedule a Consultation

Our clinical team will evaluate your joint or tendon pain and determine whether PRP is the most appropriate next step for your situation.

Request an Appointment (850) 559-2355