PRP Injections
What Is a PRP Injection?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an injection treatment made from a patient’s own blood. Platelets — best known for their role in clotting — also contain a concentrated store of growth factors that play a central role in the body’s natural healing process. To create a PRP injection, a small sample of the patient’s blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge, separating and concentrating the platelets from the rest of the blood components. This concentrated platelet solution is then injected directly into the injured or arthritic area, delivering a higher concentration of the body’s own healing signals than would otherwise be available in that location.
When Are PRP Injections Used?
PRP is used across a range of orthopedic conditions, including:
- Early to moderate knee or shoulder arthritis, particularly for patients hoping to delay joint replacement
- Chronic tendon conditions, such as biceps tendonitis or persistent rotator cuff irritation, where healing has stalled
- Patients seeking a treatment derived from their own body’s biology, without the use of steroid medication
How Is a PRP Injection Performed?
The process begins with a routine blood draw, similar to a standard lab test. The blood is then processed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins the sample at high speed to separate its components by density, isolating and concentrating the platelet-rich portion of the plasma. This concentrated solution is then injected into the target area, often with ultrasound guidance to ensure precise placement. The entire process, from blood draw to injection, is typically completed within the same office visit.
What Should You Expect After a PRP Injection?
Unlike cortisone, which is designed to calm inflammation quickly, PRP is designed to stimulate a healing response — which means it can temporarily increase inflammation and soreness in the treated area for the first several days, sometimes making symptoms feel slightly worse before they improve. Because of this biological mechanism, results tend to build gradually over several weeks rather than providing immediate relief, and many providers recommend limiting anti-inflammatory medication in the days surrounding the injection, since these medications can blunt the very inflammatory healing response the treatment is designed to encourage.
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How Does PRP Compare to Other Injections?
Unlike cortisone, which is designed to calm inflammation quickly, PRP is designed to stimulate a healing response — which means it can temporarily increase inflammation and soreness in the treated area for the first several days, sometimes making symptoms feel slightly worse before they improve. Because of this biological mechanism, results tend to build gradually over several weeks rather than providing immediate relief, and many providers recommend limiting anti-inflammatory medication in the days surrounding the injection, since these medications can blunt the very inflammatory healing response the treatment is designed to encourage.
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Dr. Palsis specializes in the treatment of knee, shoulder, and sports injuries.