What is platelet-rich plasma?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated form of blood that contains a higher number of platelets than normal. Platelets are blood cells that help with clotting and healing, and can promote tissue repair in your body.

Your blood is made up of four main parts: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Plasma, the liquid part of blood, mostly consists of water. The red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen, while the white blood cells help fight infections and repair tissue in the body. Platelets are another category of blood cells that play a key role in blood clotting. When injuries occur, platelets arrive at the injury site and release growth factors and proteins that help your tissue heal.

Platelet-rich plasma doesn’t naturally form in your body, it requires a treatment process of your own blood to concentrate the platelet cells. To make PRP, a healthcare provider takes a blood sample from you and spins it in a machine called a centrifuge. This separates the different parts of the blood and creates a concentration of platelets in plasma. PRP typically has a significantly higher concentration of platelets found in the blood than your body produces naturally.

PRP patient outside enjoying a game of golf

What are platelet-rich plasma injections?

Platelet-rich plasma injections are a therapy treatment that uses a concentrated form of platelets from your own blood to help stimulate healing and repair injuries. PRP is often used to treat injuries to tendons, ligaments, muscles and cartilage. The platelets are separated from your blood and injected into the injured area to promote healing and reduce discomfort.

What can PRP therapy treat?

Platelet-rich plasma therapy can be used for various conditions, from musculoskeletal pain and injuries to cosmetic procedures.

PRP injections are commonly used for:

  • Neck and back pain
  • Chronic tendonitis conditions, such as tennis elbow or jumper’s knee
  • Ligament injuries
  • Sports injuries
  • Osteoarthritis in the hip, knee or shoulder joints
  • Rotator cuff injuries

PRP can also be combined with physical therapy to promote healing and speed up recovery post-surgery. Platelet-rich plasma therapy can be customized to fit your needs, but not all treatments are the same. It's important to talk to your provider to find the best option for you.

What to expect

PRP therapy is usually performed either in the clinic or as an outpatient procedure, which means you don’t stay overnight at the hospital. Before your appointment, tell your doctor about any allergies, bleeding disorders or medications you’re taking (especially blood thinners or anti-platelet medications). You may need to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, at least seven days before and discuss stopping other medications with your doctor.

Prior to the procedure, your healthcare team will take a small sample of your blood and spin it in a machine to concentrate the platelets. Then, the physician will inject the PRP directly into the injured area, sometimes using ultrasound to guide the needle. The entire process usually takes less than an hour.

To get the best results, follow your doctor’s instructions on when it’s safe to return to activities like sports. Since pain relievers like ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen can interfere with the platelets, you might be asked to stop taking them two weeks before and after your treatment.

More than one PRP injection may be necessary, and your doctor can recommend combining it with other treatments like physical therapy.

What are the benefits of platelet-rich plasma therapy? 

Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a treatment used for various health conditions, including joint pain and injuries. Some benefits of PRP therapy include:

Speeds up healing

The platelets in PRP help your body repair and regenerate tissue faster.

What are the risks of PRP therapy?

Any injection has the potential to cause complications, but PRP therapy is considered to be a low-risk procedure because it uses elements from your own blood. The most common side effects from PRP therapy include discomfort, pain or stiffness at the injection site.

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