Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may speed up healing and reduce pain for some musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries and other conditions. This sheet will help you better understand this treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, talk with your doctor. They are here to help.

This treatment uses your own blood to help heal an injury. Blood is mostly made up of a liquid called plasma. Blood also contains platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells. Platelets are the part of blood that helps with clotting and tissue regrowth. They contain proteins called growth factors that help with healing.

For this treatment, blood is drawn from a vein in your arm. It's then put into a machine that separates the platelets from the blood cells. The result is plasma containing a large amount of platelets and their growth factors. This liquid is given as a shot (injection) into your injured joint or muscle. PRP may speed up your recovery.

PRP has been used to treat injured ligaments, muscles, and tendons. It may help treat arthritis and sports-related or overuse injuries like tennis elbow. The treatment may also be used to improve healing after surgery. PRP seems to work as a treatment for certain chronic tendon injuries and for low- to moderate-grade knee osteoarthritis. But experts are still studying PRP as a treatment for other conditions.

Your doctor will talk with you about this treatment. Ask questions if something is unclear.

To get ready for this treatment:

• Tell your doctor what medicines you take. Include both prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Also include vitamins, herbs, and supplements. Your doctor may instruct you to not use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, for weeks before your injection and for 4 or more weeks after your injection.
• Tell your doctor about any allergies, infections, or illnesses you have. These may affect the safety and effectiveness of PRP.
• Read and sign the informed consent form. Signing the form means you understand what is going to happen. It means you agree to the procedure. Be sure all your questions are answered before you sign the form.
• Check to see if this treatment is covered by your health insurance. Most insurance companies do not cover PRP.

This treatment is often done in your doctor's office. You may get several injections over a few weeks or months.

During this treatment:

• Your doctor first draws a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm.
• Your blood is then sent to a lab, where it is put into a centrifuge. This machine spins the blood at a high speed, causing the platelets to separate from the blood cells. The result is plasma containing a large amount of platelets.
• Your doctor then injects the platelet-rich plasma near your injury.

You may feel more pain for a short time after the injection. You may also have bruising and swelling. It may take a few weeks to notice an improvement in your injury.

A PRP injection is a safe treatment. Problems are rare. But all treatments have risks. The risks of PRP include:

• Increased pain at the injection site.
• Infection.
• Nerve damage.
• The treatment not working.

Call 911anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You have trouble swallowing.
• You pass out (lose consciousness).

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have new or worse symptoms in your arms, legs, chest, belly, or buttocks. Symptoms may include:
  • Numbness or tingling.
  • Weakness.
  • Pain.
• You have symptoms of infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
  • A fever.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You are not getting better as expected.