ORTHOPEDICS + SPORTS MEDICINE
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Concentrated platelets from your own blood, used to support healing in tendons, joints, and soft tissue.
PRP treatment begins with a sample of the patient’s own blood rather than a manufactured medication or donor material. The blood is processed to create plasma containing a higher concentration of platelets, which is then injected into a carefully selected area of injury or degeneration. The treatment is intended to place platelet-derived proteins at that site and support the body’s existing response to tissue damage.
PRP is not a universal treatment for orthopedic pain, and research is stronger for some conditions than others. Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine considers the diagnosis, quality of the tissue, duration of symptoms, previous treatment, and current medical evidence before recommending an injection.
Orthobiologics
Autologous Treatment
Targeted Injection
Platelets and the Repair Response
Blood is made up of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma is the liquid portion that carries these cells and other substances throughout the body.
Platelets are best known for helping blood clot after an injury. They also release proteins and signaling molecules involved in inflammation and tissue repair.
Platelet-rich plasma contains a greater concentration of platelets than untreated blood. When injected, PRP delivers those platelets to a specific location. Researchers continue to study how PRP formulations interact with injured tendons, joints, and other musculoskeletal tissues.
PRP is not the same as stem-cell treatment. It does not involve harvesting, concentrating, or injecting stem cells.
Conditions That May Be Treated With PRP
Evidence for PRP varies according to the condition and the preparation used. Research has shown support for its use in certain chronic tendon disorders and mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Evidence for many other applications remains limited or mixed.
PRP may be discussed as part of treatment for selected cases involving:
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Tennis elbow
- Patellar tendon disorders
- Achilles tendon disorders
- Plantar fascia pain
- Other chronic tendon injuries
A condition appearing on this list does not mean every patient with that diagnosis should receive PRP. The location and extent of tissue damage, previous treatments, general health, and activity goals all affect the recommendation.
Research has not shown the same benefit across all acute muscle injuries, ligament reconstructions, fractures, or surgical procedures. Patients should be cautious of claims that PRP can reliably regrow cartilage, reverse advanced arthritis, or eliminate the need for surgery.
How PRP Is Prepared
PRP preparation and injection are typically completed during the same office visit.
First, blood is drawn from a vein in the patient’s arm. The sample is placed into a centrifuge, which spins at a controlled speed and separates the blood into layers according to density.
The portion containing concentrated platelets is collected and prepared for injection. The exact composition can vary depending on the processing method, including the concentration of platelets and the number of white blood cells remaining in the sample.
This variation matters because PRP is not a single, identical product. Different preparations may behave differently when used for a joint, tendon, or other tissue.
What Happens During the Injection?
The skin over the treatment area is cleaned, and the target is identified. Ultrasound guidance may be used to view the injured structure and guide the needle to the intended location.
Once the needle is positioned, the prepared PRP is injected. Patients may feel pressure or discomfort during and after the injection. The entire appointment includes the blood draw, processing time, preparation, and injection.
The number of injections depends on the condition and treatment plan. Some patients receive one injection, while others may be advised to complete a series. More injections do not automatically produce a better result.
What PRP Is Intended to Do
PRP is intended to influence the local biologic environment around an injured or degenerative tissue. It does not mechanically repair a torn tendon, stabilize a damaged ligament, or replace missing cartilage.
For a chronic tendon disorder, the injection may be used alongside a progressive loading program designed to improve the tendon’s ability to tolerate force. For knee osteoarthritis, PRP may help some patients manage symptoms, but it does not restore an arthritic joint to its original condition.
The response is not immediate. Some patients experience increased soreness before improvement occurs, and several weeks may pass before the effect can be evaluated. Other patients may not experience meaningful improvement.
Recovery After a PRP Injection
Tenderness, aching, or swelling can occur at the injection site. This reaction may last several days and can occasionally continue longer, depending on the tissue treated.
Activity is usually reduced for a period after the injection. The instructions may differ for a joint, tendon, or ligament, so patients should follow the plan provided for their specific condition.
Medication use should be discussed before and after treatment. Certain anti-inflammatory medications may be restricted because they affect the inflammatory response PRP is intended to influence. Patients should not stop prescribed medication without speaking with the clinician who manages it.
Aftercare may include:
- Temporary modification of activity
- Protection from heavy or repetitive loading
- Acetaminophen when medically appropriate
- Monitoring the injection site
- Gradual return to exercise
- Scheduled follow-up to assess the response
PRP does not usually require a prolonged period away from work, but physically demanding activities may need to be modified.
Physical Therapy and PRP
PRP is often most useful as one part of a broader treatment plan. An injection can target the painful tissue, while physical therapy addresses strength, flexibility, movement mechanics, and the forces that contributed to the problem.
For tendon conditions, therapy may progress from controlled movement to gradual resistance and functional loading. Returning to unrestricted activity before the tissue can tolerate those forces may cause symptoms to return, regardless of the injection.
The timing of therapy depends on the structure treated. Some movement may begin soon after the procedure, while strengthening is introduced later. The medical and therapy teams coordinate the progression so that rehabilitation supports rather than overwhelms the treated area.
When to Discuss PRP With a Specialist
PRP may be worth discussing when a clearly diagnosed tendon or joint condition has not improved enough with appropriate nonsurgical care. It should not be used as a substitute for establishing the source of pain.
A specialist can determine whether symptoms come from a tendon, ligament, joint, nerve, or another structure. This distinction is essential because an injection placed into the wrong area, or used for a condition that requires mechanical repair, is unlikely to address the problem.
Summary
PRP uses a concentrated portion of the patient’s blood, but “natural” does not mean universally effective or free of risk. Its value depends on choosing an appropriate condition, placing the injection accurately, and pairing it with a realistic rehabilitation plan.
Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine evaluates PRP within the full range of available treatments, allowing its potential benefits and limitations to be considered without overstating what the injection can accomplish.