---
title: "PRP Therapy"
---
## What PRP Is
Platelet-rich plasma is a concentrate prepared from your own blood. Platelets are the components responsible for clotting and tissue repair, and they contain dense concentrations of growth factors that signal damaged tissue to heal.
To prepare PRP, a small amount of your blood is drawn and processed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other blood components. The resulting concentrate contains 4 to 7 times the platelet density of normal blood, which means a much higher concentration of healing growth factors.
This concentrate is then injected directly into the injured or arthritic area. Because PRP is derived from your own blood, the rejection and disease transmission risks associated with foreign biologics are not a concern.
## How PRP Therapy Works
The process is performed in a single visit. A small blood sample is drawn, processed in our centrifuge for approximately 15 minutes, and the resulting PRP is injected into the target tissue under image guidance.
Different conditions require different PRP formulations and injection techniques. For joint osteoarthritis, PRP is typically injected directly into the joint capsule. For tendon injuries, PRP is injected into and around the affected tendon, often using ultrasound guidance to confirm precise placement.
The injection itself takes about 15 minutes. PHI offers a range of comfort options, from local anesthetic to sedation, and the total visit time is typically 60 to 90 minutes from start to finish.
## Concerns We Treat with PRP Therapy
#### Joint conditions
- Knee osteoarthritis (early to moderate)
- Hip osteoarthritis
- Shoulder arthritis
- Ankle and foot arthritis
- Other joint conditions where regenerative support is appropriate
#### Tendon and ligament conditions
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial tears
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis
- Ligament injuries and sprains
#### Other conditions
- Post-surgical recovery, in coordination with the surgical team
- Persistent pain following injury where regenerative support is appropriate
- Specific cases of degenerative disc disease
## What the Evidence Shows
PRP has the strongest evidence base of any autologous regenerative protocol for orthopedic conditions. Multiple high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have demonstrated significant pain relief and functional improvement for knee osteoarthritis at 6 and 12 months after injection.
Systematic reviews comparing PRP to hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis have found PRP demonstrated superior outcomes at both 6 and 12 months on standardized pain and function scores.
For tendon injuries specifically, PRP has accumulating evidence supporting its use, particularly for chronic conditions where conservative treatment has not produced adequate response. Outcomes vary by specific tendon and clinical situation; your physician will discuss what the evidence supports for your particular condition. This is a meaningfully different evidence base than newer regenerative approaches: PRP is established, well studied, and supported by extensive clinical research.
## Why Patients Choose PHI for PRP Therapy
## What to Expect
## Frequently Asked Questions
**Q: Is PRP FDA-approved?**
PRP uses your own blood, processed and reinjected, which falls under FDA regulations for autologous biologics. The procedure is regulated but does not require specific FDA drug approval for individual conditions because PRP is derived from your own blood.
**Q: How fast does PRP work?**
PRP does not produce immediate relief. Healing develops gradually. Most patients begin to notice improvement at 4 to 6 weeks, with maximum benefit typically at 12 weeks. Some conditions continue to improve for months.
**Q: How long does the relief last?**
Duration varies by condition. For joint osteoarthritis, relief typically lasts 6 to 12 months from a single treatment, with some patients experiencing longer benefit. For tendon injuries that respond well, the relief is often more durable because the underlying tissue has healed rather than just the symptoms being suppressed.
**Q: How many PRP injections do I need?**
Many patients receive a single injection. For osteoarthritis, some protocols use a series of 2 to 3 injections spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart. Your physician will recommend the protocol that fits your specific condition.
**Q: How is PRP different from cortisone?**
Cortisone reduces inflammation and provides faster but typically shorter relief, often with cumulative effects from repeat injections. PRP supports tissue healing through a different mechanism, with slower onset but potentially more durable benefit and no cumulative tissue effects.
**Q: How is PRP different from stem cell therapy?**
PRP delivers growth factors derived from your platelets. Stem cell therapy delivers cells that themselves can support repair. PRP is generally appropriate for early-to-moderate conditions and milder tissue damage; stem cell therapy is generally appropriate for more advanced cartilage damage or conditions where PRP has been tried without sufficient response.
**Q: What are the risks?**
Because PRP uses your own blood, immune rejection and disease transmission risks are not a concern. Standard procedural risks include temporary pain or swelling at the injection site, bleeding, and rare infection. Many patients experience increased pain in the first week, which is expected.
**Q: Will PRP help me avoid surgery?**
For some patients with early-to-moderate conditions, PRP can delay or avoid surgery. For more advanced conditions, surgery may eventually be necessary. Your physician will give you an honest assessment of your specific situation.
**Q: Why should I avoid NSAIDs before PRP?**
NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen) can interfere with the platelet response that drives PRP's healing effect. Most protocols recommend pausing NSAIDs for 1 to 2 weeks before and after the procedure. Your physician will provide specific guidance.
**Q: Is PRP covered by insurance?**
Insurance coverage and payment options may vary. We provide documentation for you to seek reimbursement through your out-of-network benefits, which may apply to certain services. All pricing is disclosed at consultation.
**Q: How much does PRP cost at PHI?**
Pricing varies by the joint or tendon being treated. All costs are disclosed at consultation, with no surprise billing.
**Q: Do you accept international patients?**
Yes. PHI regularly treats patients from outside Los Angeles, including Las Vegas, Palm Springs, London, and other international locations.
> Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and PRP and combination therapy for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Peer-reviewed via PMC, 2023.
— [Qiao X, et al.](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12596915/)
> Platelet-rich plasma compared to viscosupplementation in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Peer-reviewed via PMC.
— [Bagheri K, et al.](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12272809/)
> Platelet-rich plasma for knee osteoarthritis: a comprehensive narrative review of the mechanisms, preparation protocols, and clinical evidence. Peer-reviewed via PMC, 2025.
— [Glinkowski WM, et al.](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12156035/)
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