PRP Therapy: How Platelet-Rich Plasma Supports Healing

Some injuries don't respond well to rest alone. Stubborn tendons, achy joints, and soft tissue that won't settle can drag on for months. PRP is one option we offer for cases like these. Here's what it is, how it differs from a cortisone shot, and what to realistically expect.

What is PRP therapy?

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. It starts with a small sample of your own blood, which we spin in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, the cells that carry the growth factors your body uses for repair. That concentrate is then injected at the injury site. Because it comes from you, there's no donor material involved.

How it's meant to work

Platelets do more than help blood clot. They release growth factors that signal the surrounding tissue to begin repair. The idea behind PRP is to deliver a concentrated dose of those signals right where healing has stalled. Research on PRP is still evolving and responses vary, so it's best understood as a way to support your body's own repair process, not a guaranteed fix.

How PRP differs from a steroid injection

A cortisone shot works by suppressing inflammation for short-term relief. PRP works in a different way: it's drawn from your own blood and aims to support tissue repair rather than mask symptoms. It is not a steroid. Which one fits your situation is a medical decision, and that's a conversation for your evaluation.

What it's commonly used for

In practice, PRP is most often considered for joint pain such as knees and shoulders, tendon injuries, and lingering soft-tissue problems, usually when simpler treatments haven't fully fixed the issue. Patients dealing with a slow-healing injury (the kind we discuss in our post on how long sports injury recovery takes) sometimes ask about it as an option to try before more invasive steps.

What a visit involves

We draw a small blood sample, prepare the concentrate, and inject it at the target area. There can be brief discomfort at the injection site and some soreness for a day or two afterward, which is normal as the area responds. Most people handle it well and return to their day.

Part of a plan, not the whole plan

PRP is usually a series of one to four injections depending on the area and how you respond, and it works best inside a broader plan we set after examining what's actually driving your pain. PRP is generally self-pay, though an FSA or HSA card can often be used. If you're managing a medical condition or are under a physician's care, talk with your provider before adding any new therapy, and a provider evaluation decides whether PRP is appropriate for you.