A platelet-rich therapy injection uses a small sample of your own blood to create a platelet-rich solution that is then placed in the injured area to support your body’s natural healing response. If joint or tendon pain is making it harder to move, work or enjoy daily life, platelet-rich therapy may be a non-surgical option to ask about.
Platelet-rich plasma, or platelet-rich therapy, is made from your own blood. After your blood is drawn, it is placed in a machine that separates and concentrates the platelets in the plasma.
Platelets are a part of your blood that help with clotting and healing.
That concentrated plasma is then injected into the area being treated.
A platelet-rich plasma therapy injection is a minimally invasive procedure that places concentrated platelets into an injured or painful area, such as a tendon, ligament, muscle or joint.
In many cases, ultrasound guidance may be used to help place the injection more precisely.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is most often used for certain musculoskeletal conditions. Research suggests it may help some chronic tendon injuries, such as tennis elbow, and may also help relieve pain and improve function in some people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.
It is also used for some ligament, muscle and soft tissue injuries, though results can vary depending on the area treated and the person’s overall health.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy may help reduce pain, improve movement and support healing without surgery. Because it uses your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction is lower than with some other injected treatments.
For some patients, platelet-rich plasma therapy may also reduce the need for pain medicine or anti-inflammatory medicine during recovery.
Most side effects are mild and temporary. You may have soreness, bruise, swelling or tenderness where the injection was given.
Some people also feel lightheaded from the blood draw if they have not eaten or had enough fluids beforehand.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is generally considered low risk, but no procedure is risk-free.
Possible risks include bleeding, infection, tissue damage and nerve injury. Another important point is that platelet-rich plasma does not work the same way for everyone, so results can be unpredictable.
You may be asked to drink water and eat before your visit to help prevent feeling faint during the blood draw.
Your care team may also tell you to stop certain anti-inflammatory medicines around the time of treatment, since Platelet-rich plasma therapy works by supporting the body’s early healing response.
Always follow the exact instructions from your provider, because preparation can vary by condition and treatment plan.
The visit usually starts with blood drawn from your arm.
That blood is placed in a centrifuge, which spins and separates the platelets from the other blood components.
Once the platelet-rich plasma is prepared, your provider injects it into the treatment area. In some cases, imaging such as ultrasound is used to guide the injection.
The procedure itself is usually done on one visit.
Exact timing can vary, but platelet-rich plasma therapy treatment is typically a short outpatient procedure that includes the blood draw, preparation and injection.
Most people go home the same day. Mild soreness or bruising can happen after the injection.
Your provider may recommend limiting certain activities for a short time and gradually returning to normal movement based on the area treated. Recovery instructions can vary, so it is important to follow your care team’s plan closely.
You may want to ask about platelet-rich plasma therapy if pain from an injury or chronic condition is not improving with rest, therapy or other conservative treatment.
A sports medicine or orthopedic provider can help you understand whether it fits your needs, your goals and your recovery plan.
If pain from an injury, or chronic condition is not improving with rest or other conservative treatment, platelet-rich plasma therapy may be an option for you.
