What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
If you’re dealing with joint pain, a sports injury, or a chronic tendon problem, you may have heard about Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. This innovative treatment uses your body’s own healing abilities to help reduce pain and support recovery.
PRP therapy has become a popular option for people looking for a minimally invasive treatment before considering surgery. While it isn’t right for everyone, it may help certain injuries heal more effectively.
If you’re wondering whether PRP therapy could help you, here’s what you need to know. In short, PRP therapy concentrates the healing platelets from your own blood and injects them into an injured joint, tendon, or muscle to relieve pain and support recovery. It is one of several regenerative treatments used in orthopedics and sports medicine.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?
Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP, is made from a sample of your own blood. Platelets are tiny blood cells that play an important role in healing injuries. They contain growth factors that help repair damaged tissue.
During PRP therapy, your provider draws a small amount of blood and places it in a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the platelets from the rest of the blood, creating a concentrated platelet-rich plasma. Your provider then injects the PRP directly into the injured area.
Because the treatment uses your own blood, there are no added medications or preservatives.
What Conditions Can PRP Therapy Treat?
PRP therapy is commonly used in orthopedic and sports medicine to help treat injuries affecting joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Your provider may recommend PRP therapy for:
- Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis
- Chronic tendon injuries, including:
- Tennis elbow
- Achilles tendonitis
- Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
- Acute sports injuries, such as pulled hamstrings
- Plantar fasciitis
Research continues to evaluate PRP therapy for additional conditions, but these are some of the most common reasons patients receive treatment today. Learn more about the join and injections and PRP services offered at NGPG Orthopedic Surgery.
Is PRP Therapy Safe?
PRP therapy is generally considered safe because it uses your own blood. This greatly lowers the risk of allergic reactions or rejection.
Like any injection, however, there are some possible risks.
These may include:
- Pain or soreness at the injection site
- Bruising or swelling
- Infection (rare)
- Tissue damage (rare)
- Nerve injury (rare)
Your provider will discuss these risks with you and answer any questions before your procedure.
How to Prepare for PRP Therapy
Preparing for your appointment can help improve your experience and reduce the risk of side effects.
Before your procedure:
- Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, for one week unless your provider tells you otherwise.
- Stop taking herbal supplements or other blood-thinning products one week before treatment, if approved by your healthcare provider.
- Tell your provider if you take prescription blood thinners
- Drink plenty of water before your appointment to stay well hydrated.
Always follow the instructions provided by your healthcare team, as recommendations may vary based on your medical history.
What Happens During a PRP Injection?
Platelet-Rich Platelet therapy is typically performed in an outpatient clinic and usually takes less than an hour.
Here’s what you can expect:
Step 1: Blood Draw
A member of your care team will draw a small sample of blood from your arm.
Step 2: Platelet Processing
Your blood is placed into a centrifuge, which separates and concentrates the platelets.
Step 3: PRP Injection
Your orthopedic or sports medicine provider injects the platelet-rich plasma into the injured area using careful guidance.
Most patients can return home shortly after the procedure.
What to Expect After a PRP Injection
Because PRP works by stimulating your body’s natural healing response, relief is gradual rather than immediate. Mild soreness or swelling at the injection site for a few days is normal and is often a sign the healing process has started.
Your provider may recommend resting the treated area and avoiding anti-inflammatory medications, heavy lifting, and high-impact exercise for the first one to two weeks. Gentle movement and physical therapy are often encouraged to support recovery.
Most people begin to notice improvement in pain and function within two to six weeks, with continued benefit developing over three to six months as the tissue repairs. Recovery timelines vary depending on the condition treated and your overall health.
Does PRP Therapy Work?
PRP therapy has helped many patients reduce pain and improve function, especially for certain tendon injuries and mild to moderate knee arthritis. However, results vary from person to person.
Factors that may affect success include:
- Your age
- Your overall health
- The type of injury
- How long you’ve had the condition
- Following your recovery plan after treatment
PRP is not a cure for every orthopedic condition, but it can be an effective part of a personalized treatment plan.
How Many PRP Sessions Will I Need?
Most patients receive one to three PRP injections spaced several weeks apart. Some people respond well to a single session, while chronic tendon problems or moderate knee osteoarthritis may benefit from a short series. Your provider will recommend a treatment plan based on your condition and how you respond.
How Long Do Results Last?
When PRP therapy is effective, many patients experience relief that lasts several months to a year or more, and some choose periodic maintenance treatments. For mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, research has reported sustained improvements in pain and function, with benefits comparable to or better than hyaluronic acid (gel) injections in some patients.
Is PRP Therapy Right for You?
If joint pain or a sports injury is keeping you from doing the activities you enjoy, PRP therapy may be worth discussing with your provider.
At Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, our specialists evaluate each patient individually and recommend treatments based on your condition, lifestyle, and goals. Whether you’re recovering from an athletic injury or managing chronic joint pain, we’ll help you understand all of your treatment options.
To learn whether PRP therapy is right for you, schedule a consultation with an NGPG orthopedic and sports medicine provider.