Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection therapy uses a concentrated portion of your own blood, rich in platelets and growth factors, to support healing in an injured tendon, ligament, or joint. It may help adults with chronic tendon problems such as tennis elbow, selected ligament injuries, or knee osteoarthritis that have not responded well to rehabilitation and other conservative care. Board-certified pain specialists at California Pain Consultants in San Diego evaluate candidacy and perform image-guided PRP injections.
For many people living with chronic pain or lingering injuries, one of the most frustrating experiences is feeling like the body never fully heals.
The pain may improve temporarily, only to return again weeks or months later.
The purpose of PRP Injection Therapy is not to promise a cure. It is to address a carefully identified pain source, support function, and help the patient participate more comfortably in an individualized care plan.
What Is PRP Injection Therapy?
Understanding the diagnosis and treatment target helps set realistic expectations before PRP Injection Therapy is recommended.
When tissues become damaged, the body sends healing cells and proteins to the injured area to begin repair.
One important component involved in this process is the platelet.
Platelets are small blood components best known for helping blood clot after injury.
However, platelets also contain important growth factors and signaling proteins involved in tissue healing and repair.
PRP therapy concentrates these platelets and delivers them directly to injured tissues.
The concentration is substantial. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the platelet concentration in PRP can be 5 to 10 times greater than usual. Because there is no single standardized preparation, the exact makeup of PRP can vary between systems and protocols.
When PRP Injection Therapy May Be Considered
A procedure or medication plan is chosen only after the likely pain source, prior care, health history, and personal goals have been reviewed.
Knee Osteoarthritis
PRP may help some patients with chronic knee arthritis symptoms and joint inflammation.
Tendon Injuries
Chronic tendon conditions are among the most common reasons for PRP treatment.
Common considerations include:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Achilles tendinitis
- Patellar tendinitis
Shoulder Pain
PRP may help selected patients with chronic shoulder injuries or tendon irritation.
Ligament Injuries
Mild to moderate ligament injuries may sometimes benefit from regenerative treatment approaches.
Hip and Joint Pain
Some patients with chronic hip or joint inflammation may be candidates for PRP therapy.
Sports Injuries
Athletes often seek regenerative medicine treatments to support recovery and healing.
Symptoms and Daily-Life Effects to Discuss
Tell your clinician where symptoms occur, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect function. That pattern can be as important as an imaging result.
- Aching pain
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Pain during movement
- Reduced mobility
- Pain worsening with activity
How Candidacy Is Evaluated
Not everyone with a related diagnosis is a candidate for PRP Injection Therapy. Evaluation is used to confirm the treatment target and compare reasonable alternatives.
Medical History
Common considerations include:
- Pain severity
- Activity limitations
- Previous injuries
- Prior treatments
- Surgical history
Physical Examination
Common considerations include:
- Joint movement
- Strength
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Functional limitations
Imaging and Care Planning
Common considerations include:
- Tendon tears
- Inflammation
- Degeneration
- Joint arthritis
- Ligament injuries
What to Expect During PRP Injection Therapy
Specific instructions vary. The care team explains preparation, anesthesia or medication decisions, what the patient may feel, and the follow-up plan before treatment.
Step 1: Blood Collection
A small amount of the patient’s blood is drawn, similar to a routine blood test.
Step 2: PRP Preparation
The centrifuge separates the blood into layers, concentrating the platelet-rich plasma. The blood sample is placed into a centrifuge.
Step 3: Injection Preparation
The treatment area is cleaned carefully. Ultrasound guidance is often used to improve injection precision.
Step 4: PRP Injection
The concentrated platelet-rich plasma is injected into the targeted tissue or joint. The goal is stimulating a healing response.
Step 5: Recovery and Observation
Patients are monitored briefly before returning home.
Recovery, Timing, and Follow-Up
Response to PRP Injection Therapy varies with the diagnosis, treatment technique, and individual health factors. Follow the specific instructions provided by your care team.
After Treatment
Patients are often advised to avoid strenuous activity temporarily after treatment. Some mild inflammation or soreness may occur during the early healing phase. This inflammatory response is often considered part of the regenerative process. Recovery recommendations vary depending on the treatment area.
When Improvement May Begin
Unlike steroid injections, PRP works gradually as the body responds to the concentrated growth factors. PRP does not usually provide instant pain relief. Some patients notice improvement over several weeks or months.
Common considerations include:
- Severity of injury
- Tissue type
- Overall health
Rehabilitation and Activity
Rehabilitation often plays an important role after regenerative therapy.
Common considerations include:
- Strengthening
- Stability
- Flexibility
- Movement mechanics
Potential Benefits of PRP Injection Therapy
The goal is meaningful improvement in comfort and function, not an unsupported promise that every symptom will disappear.
- Reduced pain
- Improved tissue healing
- Better mobility
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved joint function
- Support for recovery without surgery in some cases
- Many patients appreciate using their body’s own biological healing components during treatment
- A treatment plan matched to a defined pain source
Results and How Long Relief May Last
PRP works gradually, so its timeline differs from a steroid injection. Expectations should be set in months rather than days.
- Cleveland Clinic notes that it can take a few weeks to see or feel initial results and several months for injured tissue to fully heal.
- The same source reports that the effects of a PRP injection may last six months to a year or longer.
- For knee osteoarthritis, AAOS notes that some studies have shown results lasting up to 2 years.
- AAOS also notes that pain at the injection site may actually increase for the first week or two, so an early flare does not mean the treatment failed.
Research on PRP is still developing, and AAOS cautions that strong studies supporting some popular uses are limited. Results vary by condition, tissue quality, and rehabilitation, and some patients need more than one treatment.
Risks, Safety, and When to Call
All treatments have risks. The risks of PRP Injection Therapy depend on the technique, medication or device, anatomy, and individual health history.
- Temporary soreness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Infection
Contact your care team for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, fever, severe or worsening pain, or numbness or weakness that does not improve as expected. Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, fainting, or signs of a severe allergic reaction.
How This Treatment Fits into Comprehensive Care
Interventional care is most useful when it supports a broader plan built around diagnosis, movement, function, emotional well-being, and informed decision-making.
Part of a Broader Plan
The goal is improving long-term function and quality of life.
Common considerations include:
- Physical therapy
- Strengthening programs
- Lifestyle modifications
- Joint stabilization
- Activity adjustments
Support for Daily Life
Many patients slowly begin avoiding movement because pain becomes unpredictable and frustrating. Targeted regenerative treatment may help patients regain comfort and mobility again.
Common considerations include:
- Exercising
- Walking
- Lifting objects
- Climbing stairs
Is PRP Injection Therapy Right for You?
Chronic joint pain and soft tissue injuries can slowly affect nearly every part of life. They interfere with movement, exercise, sleep, work, and emotional well-being. Over time, even simple activities may become frustrating because pain continues returning despite treatment.
California Pain Consultants provides individualized evaluation and discusses the expected benefits, limitations, alternatives, and risks before recommending care.
Treatment at California Pain Consultants
At California Pain Consultants, your evaluation confirms whether the source of your pain is a tissue that may respond to PRP, such as a degenerated tendon or an arthritic joint. Your care team reviews prior treatments, examines the area, and uses imaging to guide the injection when appropriate. Depending on your diagnosis, your plan may compare PRP with other options, including corticosteroid joint injections, the FAST procedure for selected chronic tendon problems, or care focused on osteoarthritis. Because AAOS notes that few insurance plans reimburse PRP, your team will discuss costs before treatment.
We see patients at four clinics across San Diego County:
San Diego, CA 92123Get Directions
San Diego, CA 92128Get Directions
La Mesa, CA 91942Get Directions
Chula Vista, CA 91911Get Directions
Procedures are performed at the Comprehensive Pain ASC in Rancho Bernardo and the EPC Surgery Center in La Mesa. We accept most insurances. Call (858) 571-3630 or request your appointment to learn whether PRP fits your injury or joint pain.
Book Your AppointmentTrusted Information and Related Care
General medical references: MedlinePlus: Pain · National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Pain.
Related California Pain resources: Shoulder pain · Knee pain · Conditions and treatments.
This article is for general education and does not replace an individualized medical evaluation. Recommendations depend on the diagnosis, health history, current medications, examination, imaging or diagnostic testing, and personal goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About PRP Injection Therapy
Find clear, medically responsible answers about PRP Injection Therapy, who may be a candidate, what to expect, and when to contact your healthcare team.
What is PRP injection therapy, and how does it work?
Platelet-rich plasma therapy uses a concentrated portion of the patient’s own blood, containing platelets and signaling proteins, which is injected into a targeted tissue. The goal is to support a healing response, but effectiveness varies by condition and preparation method.
What conditions can PRP injections treat?
PRP injections are most often used for chronic tendon problems such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Achilles and patellar tendinopathy, and for knee osteoarthritis. Selected shoulder, hip, and ligament injuries may also be considered. Evidence is stronger for some uses than others, so your care team matches the recommendation to your specific diagnosis.
Who may be a candidate for PRP injection therapy?
A candidate has a clearly identified target, reasonable healing potential, and expected benefit that outweighs cost and risk. Blood disorders, infection, severe anemia, certain medications, advanced tissue destruction, or another dominant diagnosis may affect suitability.
How should I prepare for PRP injection therapy?
Review blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medicines, supplements, infection, and blood conditions with the clinician. Hydration, eating, transportation, and medication instructions vary, so follow the specific plan rather than stopping medicines independently.
Should I stop anti-inflammatory medicine before PRP?
Many care teams ask patients to pause anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen for a period before and after PRP, because they may interfere with the healing response. Never stop a prescribed medication, especially a blood thinner, without guidance. Your care team gives specific instructions based on your health history and the area being treated.
What happens during PRP injection therapy?
A blood sample is processed to concentrate platelets, and the prepared plasma is injected into the target under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance when appropriate. The exact concentration and activation method vary by system and indication.
How long does a PRP injection appointment take?
Cleveland Clinic notes that a therapeutic PRP injection for a joint or injury takes about an hour from start to finish. That time includes drawing a small amount of blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, preparing the treatment area, and performing the injection, often with ultrasound guidance. You usually go home the same day.
What is recovery like after PRP injection therapy?
A temporary increase in soreness and swelling is common because PRP is intended to stimulate a local response. Activity is modified and then progressed through a condition-specific rehabilitation program.
What are the possible risks or side effects of PRP injection therapy?
Possible risks include bleeding, infection, nerve or vessel injury, pain flare, tissue injury, fainting during blood draw, and lack of benefit. Because the product comes from the patient’s blood, allergy risk is low but not zero for other materials used.
How soon will I feel results from PRP?
PRP works gradually rather than instantly. Cleveland Clinic reports that it can take a few weeks to see or feel initial results and several months for tissue to fully heal. Some soreness during the first week or two is common. Following your rehabilitation plan during this period helps support the healing response.
How long do PRP injection results last?
Results vary by condition and person. Cleveland Clinic notes that the effects of a PRP injection may last six months to a year or longer, and AAOS reports that some knee osteoarthritis studies have shown benefits lasting up to 2 years. Some patients need more than one treatment to reach their goals.
How does PRP injection therapy fit into a broader treatment plan?
PRP should complement, not replace, a clear diagnosis and progressive rehabilitation plan. Load management, strengthening, biomechanics, sleep, nutrition, and treatment of contributing health factors can influence recovery.
Is PRP covered by insurance?
Coverage for PRP is limited. AAOS notes that few insurance plans, including workers’ compensation plans, provide even partial reimbursement for PRP. Coverage depends on your plan and diagnosis, so your care team reviews expected costs and alternatives with you before treatment, allowing you to make an informed choice without surprises.
When should I call my healthcare team or seek urgent care after PRP injection therapy?
Call promptly for fever, increasing redness, drainage, severe swelling, new numbness, or pain that continues to escalate. Seek emergency care for breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, or other rapidly worsening symptoms.