What is PRP?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentration of platelets derived from a patient’s own blood. After a blood draw, the sample is processed using a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelet component. The resulting PRP is then injected into the area of injury or chronic tissue irritation under ultrasound guidance.
Platelets are best known for their role in clotting, but they also release a variety of powerful signaling molecules (growth factors and cytokines including VEGF, PDGF, and TGF-Beta) that help regulate inflammation and tissue repair. Rather than masking pain, PRP is intended to influence the local healing environment and support the body’s natural recovery processes.
A Brief History of PRP
The medical use of platelet concentrates began in the 1970s within hematology and transfusion medicine. By the 1980s and 1990s, PRP was being used in oral and maxillofacial surgery to support wound healing.
PRP entered sports medicine and orthopedics in the early 2000s as clinicians explored ways to manage chronic tendon and joint conditions that did not respond well to rest, medications, or standard injections. Since then, research has expanded significantly, and PRP is now one of the most studied biologic treatments in musculoskeletal care.
Where PRP Fits in the Healing Process
To understand PRP’s role, it helps to review the phases of tissue healing:
1. Inflammatory Phase (days 1–7)
After injury, the body initiates inflammation to remove damaged tissue and signal repair.
2. Proliferative Phase (weeks)
New collagen and extracellular matrix are produced.
3. Remodeling Phase (months)
Tissue gradually strengthens and adapts to mechanical load.
In many chronic musculoskeletal conditions—such as tendinopathy or early osteoarthritis—the healing process becomes dysregulated. Instead of a healthy inflammatory response that progresses to repair, the tissue remains in a low-grade, ineffective inflammatory state.
PRP appears to work by:
Modulating the local inflammatory environment
Increasing signaling that supports organized tissue repair
Reducing pain-related inflammatory mediators
Supporting improved tissue function over time
Importantly, the clinical goal of PRP is pain reduction and functional improvement, not rapid structural change.
Conditions with the Best Scientific Support
While PRP has been studied for many musculoskeletal problems, the evidence currently supports its use in specific conditions including but not limited to:
Knee Osteoarthritis
Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses show PRP can:
Reduce pain
Improve function
Provide longer-lasting relief than corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections in select patients
PRP is most effective in mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Some studies demonstrate:
Improved long-term pain and function compared with corticosteroid injections
Particularly helpful for chronic cases lasting more than 3–6 months
Chronic Tendinopathies
Evidence supports PRP for selected chronic tendon conditions, including:
Patellar tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy
Gluteal tendinopathy
Outcomes tend to be gradual, with improvement occurring over weeks to months.
Plantar Fasciitis
Several randomized trials show PRP provides:
Longer-term pain relief compared with corticosteroid injections
Functional improvement in chronic, treatment-resistant cases
What Patients Should Expect
PRP is not an immediate pain-relief treatment. Unlike corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation quickly, PRP works gradually by influencing the local healing environment.
Typical expectations:
- Temporary soreness for several days after injection
- Gradual improvement over 4–12 weeks
- Best results when combined with a structured rehabilitation program
Because PRP uses the patient’s own blood and contains no medication, it avoids many of the risks associated with repeated steroid use.
Also, generally PRP is not covered under most insurances. However, an initial consultation visit will be covered under your insurance if we do accept your insurance.
The Role of PRP at CCSRM
At CCSRM, PRP is used selectively for patients who:
- Have persistent pain despite appropriate conservative care
- Want to avoid or delay surgery
- Are appropriate candidates based on current evidence
All injections are performed with ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate placement and optimize outcomes.
Dr. Khan is committed to answering any questions you may have regarding PRP. At CCSRM we also use a high-end centrifuge to help concentrate a larger amount of platelets per treatment. The higher concentration of platelets is key to having more consistent and favorable outcomes.
Schedule a consultation visit online or at 614-636-2378 to learn more and begin on your path toward decreasing pain and improving function.
