What Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Actually Does
Platelet-rich plasma — PRP — is derived from a small sample of the patient’s own blood. That sample is placed in a centrifuge, which separates the blood into its components. The layer concentrated in platelets is extracted and prepared for injection. The entire process takes place within a single visit.
Platelets are typically associated with clotting, but their role in tissue repair goes considerably further. They contain alpha granules packed with growth factors — including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) — that signal the body to initiate repair processes. When concentrated and delivered directly to a site of injury or degeneration, these growth factors may stimulate cellular activity that would otherwise be limited by the poor blood supply many tendons and joints naturally receive.
This mechanism is the key distinction between PRP and cortisone. Corticosteroids suppress the inflammatory response, which can reduce pain but may also interfere with the biological processes that drive healing. PRP works differently — it delivers a concentrated biological signal that may promote repair rather than mute the body’s response to injury. That doesn’t make cortisone wrong in every context. For acute flares or situations where inflammation needs to be brought down quickly, it serves a purpose. But for patients with chronic tendon injuries or ongoing joint degeneration, a treatment that may address the tissue directly is a meaningfully different option to consider.
At ReNova Health, we discuss these distinctions openly during consultations. Our goal is to make sure patients understand what each treatment does and doesn’t do, so they’re making decisions based on accurate information rather than marketing language.
Conditions We Evaluate for PRP
The clinical evidence base for PRP is strongest in musculoskeletal applications, particularly tendon and ligament injuries. Conditions we commonly evaluate for PRP include lateral epicondylitis (commonly called tennis elbow), patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee), rotator cuff tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and osteoarthritis of the knee and other joints.
The systematic review data referenced here covers tendon and ligament applications specifically, and the findings favor PRP in long-term follow-up comparisons. For patients who have cycled through physical therapy and cortisone injections without durable results, PRP represents a different biological approach to the same underlying problem. Our regenerative pain management approach is designed to evaluate which treatment is best aligned with your specific condition and history.
It’s worth noting that the evidence base for PRP varies by condition and by the specific formulation of the concentrate used. PRP is not a uniform product — platelet concentration, the presence or absence of leukocytes (white blood cells), and activation methods all affect what the final preparation contains. We use a preparation protocol that aligns with current clinical evidence and is appropriate for the specific condition being treated. This matters, and it’s a question worth asking any provider you consult.
The Procedure and What to Expect
A PRP treatment session typically involves the following steps:
- A blood draw — roughly the same volume as a standard lab draw.
- Centrifugation to separate and concentrate the platelet layer.
- Preparation of the PRP concentrate for injection.
- Injection into the target tissue under imaging guidance.
The full session takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Because PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, there is no risk of systemic allergic reaction or donor incompatibility. The most common post-procedure experience is localized soreness at the injection site, which typically resolves within a few days. This soreness can reflect the inflammatory response the treatment is intended to stimulate — a sign the biology is responding — rather than an adverse effect in the traditional sense.
Imaging guidance during the injection is important for precision. Tendon and ligament structures are specific targets, and accurate placement affects both safety and the likelihood of response. We use ultrasound guidance for PRP injections as a standard part of the procedure.
Barriers We Hear About — and What We Tell Patients
Two concerns come up consistently when patients are considering PRP: cost and whether it will actually work after other treatments haven’t.
On cost: PRP is not covered by most insurance plans, though coverage is expanding incrementally for specific applications. We discuss cost during the consultation before any decision is made. For many patients, the relevant comparison isn’t PRP versus nothing — it’s PRP versus continued cortisone cycles, ongoing physical therapy, or eventual surgical intervention. Each of those carries its own cost and recovery burden. We help patients think through that comparison in concrete terms.
On efficacy concerns: skepticism is understandable, especially for patients who have spent years trying treatments that didn’t produce lasting results. We don’t make promises about outcomes, because individual response to PRP — like any treatment — varies. What we do offer is an evidence-based evaluation of whether your specific condition and presentation align with the patient profiles in which PRP has shown the strongest results, and a clear conversation about what realistic expectations look like for your situation. For patients with more significant joint degeneration, an autologous procedure that concentrates the patient’s own bone marrow components and delivers them under imaging guidance as part of physician-supervised care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PRP injections will I need? It depends on the condition and how you respond. Some patients see meaningful improvement after a single injection; others benefit from a series of two to three. We assess response over time and adjust recommendations accordingly rather than applying a fixed protocol to every patient.
Can I have PRP if I’m on blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications? Certain medications may affect PRP preparation or response and require adjustment before treatment. This is reviewed during the consultation. Do not stop or adjust any medication without guidance from your prescribing provider.
Is PRP appropriate for bone-on-bone arthritis? Advanced joint degeneration with complete cartilage loss typically falls outside the range where PRP is expected to produce significant benefit. We review imaging during the evaluation and are direct about what we can and cannot reasonably expect from the treatment at a given stage of disease.
How does PRP compare to cortisone for tendinopathy? Cortisone typically provides faster short-term pain relief. PRP tends to show its benefit at longer follow-up intervals — weeks to months — when tissue-level changes have had time to develop. For patients prioritizing durable improvement over immediate relief, PRP is worth discussing with your provider.
What is the recovery like? Most patients return to light activity within a day or two. We provide specific post-procedure guidance based on the treated area, including activity restrictions and any instructions about medications. We want to make sure you’re not inadvertently doing something that interferes with the treatment’s intended effect.
Key Takeaways
- PRP concentrates platelets and growth factors from the patient’s own blood, delivering a biological signal to the injury site that may promote tissue repair rather than simply suppressing symptoms.
- Published systematic review data supports PRP for tendon and ligament conditions, with long-term follow-up comparisons favoring PRP over control.
- PRP is a different approach than cortisone — it works on different mechanisms and is best evaluated as an option when durable tissue repair is the goal.
- PRP formulation varies. Platelet concentration, leukocyte content, and activation method all affect the final preparation and should be part of any provider conversation.
- Insurance coverage for PRP is limited. We discuss costs before any commitment is made. Results vary by individual, and candidacy is determined through evaluation.
If joint or tendon pain has kept you cycling through the same short-term solutions without a lasting result, the problem may not be the treatments you’ve tried — it may be the mechanism they target. Contact ReNova Health to schedule a regenerative medicine consultation, and we’ll assess whether PRP addresses what’s actually driving your pain.
References
National Institutes of Health. The Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Tendon and Ligament Healing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Bias Assessment. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6339617/
Medical Disclaimer
The information in this blog is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. PRP therapy and other regenerative treatments should only be pursued under the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider with full knowledge of your medical history. Individual results vary. Not all patients are candidates for regenerative medicine — a clinical evaluation is required before any treatment is recommended or performed. Please discuss your specific condition and options with a qualified provider before making any treatment decisions.