Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Joint and Tendon Injuries (Coming Soon)

PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma.

Your blood naturally contains platelets, which have a role in the body’s normal healing processes.

For PRP treatment, a sample of your blood is taken and processed in a centrifuge to separate its components and produce a platelet-rich plasma preparation.

The PRP is then injected into the selected treatment area.

PRP has been investigated and used in musculoskeletal medicine for certain joint and tendon problems.

Whether it should be considered will depend on factors including the condition being treated, your symptoms, previous treatment and your individual circumstances.

This is particularly important because the evidence supporting PRP varies considerably between different musculoskeletal conditions. NICE states that evidence for PRP injections in knee osteoarthritis raises no major safety concerns, but evidence of efficacy is limited in quality. For autologous blood/PRP injections for tendinopathy, NICE says evidence of efficacy remains inadequate and recommends special arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit or research.

Your clinician will therefore discuss the evidence, uncertainties and alternative options relevant to your particular condition, rather than presenting PRP as a solution for every joint or tendon problem.

PRP isn’t something we’d position as simply choosing an injection from a treatment menu.

ASSESS

Your clinician will discuss your symptoms, medical history and any previous investigations or treatment.

UNDERSTAND

An appropriate diagnosis is important. Your clinician will consider the cause of your symptoms and whether any further investigation is required.

DISCUSS

If PRP is an option, we’ll explain why it is being considered, the available evidence, uncertainties, potential risks and alternatives.

TREAT

If you decide to proceed and treatment is appropriate, blood is taken and processed to prepare the PRP before it is injected into the selected area.

FOLLOW-UP

You’ll receive appropriate aftercare advice and information about activity and any wider rehabilitation plan.

For some patients, an injection is only one part of managing a musculoskeletal problem.

Depending on your condition, your clinician may also discuss other approaches, which could include physiotherapy, rehabilitation, exercise, other injection options or surgical treatment.

The aim is to help you understand the options available rather than assuming PRP is automatically the right treatment for you.

Does PRP use my own blood?

Yes. A blood sample is taken and processed to prepare the platelet-rich plasma used for your injection.

Can PRP treat arthritis?

PRP has been studied for knee osteoarthritis, but the quality of evidence for its effectiveness remains limited. NICE says it should be used with special arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit or research.

Your clinician can explain whether PRP should be considered in your particular circumstances and discuss alternative treatment options.

Can PRP repair damaged cartilage?

I wouldn’t make this claim. The ASA has specifically taken action against advertising that presented PRP as repairing damaged tissue or arthritic joints where adequate substantiation wasn’t provided.

Is PRP suitable for tendon problems?

PRP has been investigated for tendinopathy, but NICE states that evidence about efficacy remains inadequate and that patients should be informed about the uncertainty, particularly regarding long-term effectiveness.

An individual clinical assessment is therefore important.

Does the injection hurt?

You may experience discomfort during or after an injection. Temporary pain or stiffness can occur following PRP treatment. Your clinician will explain the procedure, potential side effects and aftercare before you decide whether to proceed.

How many injections will I need?

There isn’t one treatment schedule appropriate for everybody. This will depend on the condition being considered, the protocol used and your individual treatment plan.

Understand your options.

Start with a clinical assessment at St Hugh’s Hospital. We’ll discuss your symptoms, your diagnosis and the treatment options that may be appropriate for you.

BOOK AN ASSESSMENT

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Call 01472 251100

Private care at St Hugh’s Hospital, Grimsby