Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has become an increasingly popular regenerative treatment option for athletes and active adults seeking to accelerate healing and avoid, or delay, surgery. By harnessing the body’s own healing biology, PRP offers a targeted, minimally invasive approach to treating a range of musculoskeletal conditions. Our sports medicine team offers PRP as part of a comprehensive, individualized approach to injury care.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Blood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Platelets are small cell fragments best known for their role in clotting, but they also contain a rich concentration of growth factors, proteins that signal tissue repair and regeneration. Platelet-rich plasma is a concentration of these platelets isolated from the patient’s own blood.
How the PRP Process Works
The PRP preparation process begins with a standard blood draw of approximately 30 to 60 milliliters. The blood is placed in a centrifuge and spun at high speed, which separates the components by density. The platelet-rich layer is extracted and, in some protocols, further concentrated before being prepared for injection. The entire preparation process takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
How PRP Promotes Healing
When injected into an area of injury or degeneration, the concentrated growth factors in PRP promote healing through several mechanisms: they stimulate collagen production, encourage the proliferation of tendon and ligament cells, reduce chronic inflammation, and attract additional healing cells to the injury site. In essence, PRP amplifies what the body would do naturally, but at a concentration that can overcome the limited regenerative capacity of tissues with poor blood supply, such as tendons and ligaments.
Conditions Commonly Treated With PRP
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) , one of the most well-studied indications
- Plantar fasciitis , chronic heel pain that has not responded to conservative care
- Rotator cuff tendinitis , shoulder tendon degeneration
- Knee osteoarthritis , early to moderate joint degeneration
- Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
- Achilles tendinopathy , chronic Achilles pain or partial tears
- Partial ligament tears , particularly the UCL (elbow) and collateral ligaments (knee)
What to Expect During a PRP Injection
PRP injections are performed in our office and are guided by ultrasound imaging to ensure precise placement at the target tissue. The procedure takes 45 to 90 minutes from blood draw to injection. Ultrasound guidance dramatically improves accuracy compared to landmark-based injection and is associated with better outcomes. Mild soreness and swelling at the injection site are normal for three to five days.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Many patients experience significant improvement after a single PRP injection, but some conditions, particularly chronic tendinopathy and knee osteoarthritis, respond better to a series of two to three injections spaced four to six weeks apart. Your physician will discuss the recommended treatment protocol for your specific condition and severity.
PRP vs. Cortisone Injections
Cortisone injections reduce inflammation quickly and provide faster symptomatic relief, but they do not promote tissue healing and may actually weaken collagen over repeated use. PRP takes longer to produce results but works by promoting actual tissue repair. For patients with chronic conditions that have not responded to cortisone, PRP is often a superior long-term option.
Is PRP Covered by Insurance?
PRP is currently considered an elective or experimental treatment by most insurance carriers and is typically not covered. Your care team can provide transparent pricing information and discuss whether PRP is a worthwhile investment for your specific injury.
Our sports medicine team provides PRP therapy and comprehensive injury care to active patients in the area. Reach out to our office to schedule an evaluation and find out if PRP is the right treatment for your injury.Contact Surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Pennington at the Knee and Shoulder Institute in Las Vegas, NV to Schedule an Appointment:
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