PRP has been used in surgeries to promote cell regeneration since 1980s and a growing body of evidence shows it is a viable treatment for tendinosis and osteoarthritis.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) or autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) therapy, is extracted from the patient’s own blood. The treatment goal is for the PRP to take advantage of the blood’s natural healing properties to repair damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, or even bone.

Conditions Treated with Platelet Rich Plasma

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy for Shoulder Pain

• Arthritis
• Bicipital Tendonitis
• Instability
• Labrum Tears
• Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome or Bursitis
• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis or Tear

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy for Knee Pain

• Arthritis
• Meniscus Tears
• Partially Torn or Strained Major Ligaments of the Knee (ACL/ LCL/ MCL)
• Patellar Femoral Syndrome
• Patellar Instability
• Patellar Tendonitis

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy for Elbow Pain

• Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow)

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy for Wrist and Hand Pain

• Arthritis
• DeQuervaine’s Tenosynovitis
• Ligament Tears or Dysfunction of the Fingers
• Other Wrist or Finger Tendonitis

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy for Ankle and Foot Pain

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Chronic lower back pain
• Knee osteoarthritis
• Morton’s neuroma
• Other Foot or Ankle Tendinitis
• Peroneal Tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Recurrent Ankle Sprains

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy for Hip Pain

• Arthritis
• Greater Trochanteric Bursitis
• Hip Labrum Tears
• Iliotibial Band Tendinitis (ITB Syndrome)
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Psoas Tendonitis and Bursitis
• Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Procedure

Your medical provider will first draw about 30 ml of blood from a vein in your arm, almost identical to having blood drawn for regular diagnostic testing. The blood will be centrifuged or spun to separate the platelets from other blood components. The platelet rich portion of the blood is the extracted for reinjection into the area being treated. The process of preparing your PRP takes about 20 minutes.

Once the area being treated has been properly sterilized, a local anesthetic agent is used and the PRP is injected into the affected area utilizing ultrasound guidance as appropriate.

After the procedure

Following the procedure, you can resume your daily routine activities but should avoid strenuous activities such as heavy exercise or lifting. Your provider will provide you with complete after care instructions following your procedure.

Any discomfort following treatment, if any, is generally mild in nature and should  subside within a few days. Cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medications are usually sufficient to keep you comfortable.  Anti-inflammatory medications are to be avoided for up to 48 hours after the injection, as they can affect the platelet function.

Risks and complications are rare.

Research Studies

The temporal effect of platelet-rich plasma on pain and physical function in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28115016

MRI Changes After Platelet Rich Plasma Injection in Knee Osteoarthritis (Randomized Clinical Trial).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32021396

Treatment with platelet-rich plasma is more effective than placebo for knee osteoarthritis: a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23299850

Comparison of the Clinical Effectiveness of Single Versus Multiple Injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31897409