Advanced PRP Therapy for Joint Pain and Tendon Injuries

PRP treatments are typically given in the doctor's clinic and can take between 45 minutes to an hour, from pre-procedural prep all the way through to putting a bandaid on the injection site.

A tailored PRP formulation is prepared depending on your specific requirement. A routine blood draw is performed, and anywhere between 20mL and 120mL of blood is taken depending on what is needed to prepare an appropriate PRP formulation according to your needs.

The blood is then carefully separated into its various components using centrifugation and is then re-centrifuged in order to concentrate the desired cells into a usable treatment. This is then mixed with a small amount of the blood's plasma to create Platelet Rich Plasma. The PRP is then ready to be injected. The preparation system is fully enclosed, which helps maintain sterility and minimizes exposure of the sample to the external environment.

PRP injections are usually well-tolerated with a local anesthetic.

Dr. Kasper will utilize ultrasound guidance where appropriate.

Some patients resume their usual activities shortly after the procedure. Some patients experience a mild flare up of symptoms following a PRP injection. This typically resolves within a few days. Our clinical team will walk you through each step of your procedure, providing you with information and guidance on specific limitations and rehab protocols to support your recovery.

The durability of response to PRP varies by condition and individual. Some patients may experience sustained improvement, while others may require additional treatment. If the underlying cause of the injury is not addressed (such as biomechanical factors contributing to joint stress), ongoing wear and tear may continue. For this reason, PRP is typically considered as part of a comprehensive approach that may include structured physical therapy and other adjunctive therapies.

Multiple clinical studies have examined PRP for conditions including early to moderate osteoarthritis, as well as knee and shoulder pathology. Several of these studies have reported improvements in pain scores and functional outcomes, particularly when PRP is combined with lifestyle modifications and structured rehabilitation. Study findings reflect specific patient populations under defined protocols and are not uniform across all cases. Evidence quality varies by diagnosis, and not all patients respond to treatment.

Because PRP is an autologous preparation derived from your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or immune-mediated adverse events may be lower than with some other injectable substances. As with any injection, there is a minor risk of infection, bleeding and damage to local structures. To limit this, your provider will cleanse the area of injection and follow universal precautions.

PRP is prepared from your own blood and used during the same visit. Because it is autologous (derived from your own body), immune rejection is not expected. As with any injection, there remains a small risk of infection or localized reaction. The blood draw and injection are performed under sterile conditions using aseptic technique to minimize these risks.

The characteristics of PRP composition may influence clinical outcomes. There are a wide variety of commercially available kits which deliver very different cellular products. The red and white blood cell counts, platelet yield and the ability to concentrate the product efficiently vary significantly across systems. Variances in these categories may influence clinical outcomes.

PRP therapy may be considered by some patients with certain musculoskeletal conditions who are exploring nonsurgical treatment options. It may also be considered for patients who have not achieved adequate improvement with conservative treatments such as steroid injections, viscosupplementation, physical therapy, or bracing. Examples of conditions that have been studied in the medical literature include some tendon injuries, certain ligament sprains, and mild to moderate osteoarthritis of joints such as the knee.

PRP is not appropriate for every condition or every patient. The potential role of PRP depends on factors such as the specific diagnosis, severity of tissue damage, prior treatments, and overall health.

During a consultation, Dr. Kasper evaluates these factors and discusses whether PRP may be a reasonable option to consider as part of an individualized treatment plan.

Evidence regarding PRP varies by condition, and individual responses to treatment can differ.

In some patients with knee osteoarthritis, PRP may be considered prior to surgical intervention. A randomized controlled trial compared PRP injections with placebo and reported differences in pain and function scores. Results vary by outcome measure, patient population, and study design. Whether PRP is appropriate depends on the individual's clinical presentation, imaging findings, and treatment history. This should be discussed during consultation.

This depends on the type of procedure performed. For example, in the setting of microfracture surgery for articular cartilage lesions, some studies have compared outcomes when the procedure was augmented with PRP versus microfracture alone, with differences observed in patient-reported outcome scores. Results vary by study design and patient population. Discuss with your surgeon whether PRP may be appropriate as an adjunct to your specific procedure.

PRP is prepared from a patient's own blood using FDA-cleared devices. However, PRP itself is not classified as an FDA-approved drug or biologic. Because PRP is an autologous product — derived from and used on the same individual — it falls outside the traditional FDA drug approval pathway. The FDA regulates the devices and kits used to prepare PRP, but does not approve or disapprove the final platelet concentrate as a standalone therapeutic product.

The cost of a PRP treatment varies based on the procedure performed. Our office staff can assist you with payment options and answer any other questions you may have.

Although PRP in musculoskeletal applications is supported by a growing body of clinical literature, the broader use of PRP therapy is still considered relatively new at this time. Because of this, PRP is not typically covered by commercial insurance companies or Medicare, and is provided as a cash pay procedure. Our office staff can assist you with additional questions.