What is Platelet-rich Plasma Therapy (PRP)?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy can be used to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and regenerative conditions because of its ability to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote new cell growth.

PRP is most commonly used in orthopedics and sports medicine for:

• Tendinopathies
  • Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
  • Patellar tendinopathy (“jumper’s knee”)
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Rotator cuff tendinitis or partial tears
• Joint Degeneration / Arthritis
  • Knee osteoarthritis (most evidence-supported)
  • Hip osteoarthritis
  • Shoulder arthritis
  • Ankle arthritis
  • Thumb CMC joint arthritis
• Ligament Injuries
  • Partial ACL or MCL tears
  • Ankle sprains
• Muscle Injuries
  • Strains or small tears (hamstring, quadriceps, calf)
• Post-surgical Healing Support
  • Used adjunctively after tendon or ligament repair surgeries to improve healing time and outcomes

There are two main differences between cortisone and PRP (and other regenerative treatments like prolozone, stem cells, or hyaluronic acid):

1. Pain relief vs. healing: Cortisone can reduce inflammation and relieve pain, but it doesn’t repair damaged tissue. PRP works differently — it helps your body’s own healing process, gradually restoring damaged tissue over time instead of just masking symptoms.
2. Effect on cartilage: Cortisone can sometimes damage cartilage, especially if used often or in high doses. This can slow down your joint’s ability to repair itself. PRP, on the other hand, supports cartilage repair and regeneration, helping your joint heal rather than potentially causing more harm.

1. Blood is drawn from your arm (similar to a lab test).
2. It’s processed in a centrifuge TWICE to isolate the platelet-rich layer.
3. The PRP is injected into the target area.
4. The entire visit is usually 60 minutes, but the PRP injection itself is done in minutes.
5. You may feel mild discomfort during the injection and temporary soreness afterward as the healing response begins. Most people tolerate it well and can resume light activities the same or next day.

PRP works by stimulating healing, not by numbing pain immediately. Most patients notice gradual improvement over 2–6 weeks, with continued progress for several months as new tissue regenerates.

This depends on the condition and severity:

• Mild injuries or early arthritis: often 1–2 sessions
• Chronic or advanced cases: 3 or more sessions spaced about 4–6 weeks apart. Your provider will tailor the plan to your specific needs.

Our clinic has partnered with Emcyte as our preferred supplier for PRP collection kits and processing. We exclusively use their PurePRP SupraPhysiologic, which is specifically designed to deliver the highest concentrations of platelets, guaranteeing a minimum of 8 billion platelets per treatment. Emcyte’s double-spin system allows our physicians to customize PRP formulations, creating either neutrophil-rich or neutrophil-poor preparations to best meet each patient’s needs.

Yes! By centrifuging the patient’s blood twice we get an ultra-concentrated form of PRP to achieve optimal results.

• Avoid using anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin) for 24 hours before and 48 hours after a prolozone injection.
• Avoid steroids and cortisone injections for at least 1 week prior.
• Avoid excessive alcohol and sugar consumption the day before and day of treatment.
• Let us know if you are acutely ill because you’ll need to reschedule your appointment. We don’t want your body distracted fighting an infection at the time we are trying to stimulate tissue regeneration.

• Limit strenuous activity for 24–48 hours
• Apply ice if needed for comfort
• Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet
• Avoid anti-inflammatories and alcohol for several days
• Follow any additional instructions provided by your clinician

Yes — PRP is autologous, meaning it comes from your own blood, so the risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission is virtually zero. Mild swelling, redness, or soreness at the injection site is normal and temporary.

PRP may not be recommended if you:

• Have a bleeding disorder or are on blood thinners
• Have an active infection
• Have severe anemia or very low platelet counts
• Are pregnant