Soft tissue injuries are among the most common reasons people seek orthopaedic care. Whether it’s a strained hamstring, a sprained ligament, or a chronic tendon issue, these injuries can limit mobility, delay return to activity, and affect quality of life. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is increasingly used as a supportive treatment option for soft tissue healing, offering a regenerative approach without surgery.
This guide outlines how PRP therapy works, what types of soft tissue injuries may benefit, and what to expect from the treatment process.
What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?
Soft tissue refers to non-bony structures like muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These tissues are critical for movement and joint stability, but they are also prone to injury due to overuse, trauma, or ageing. Common soft tissue injuries include:
- Tendon injuries, such as Achilles tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinosis, and tennis elbow
- Ligament sprains, including ankle sprains and ligament tears in the knee or shoulder
- Muscle strains, such as hamstring or calf strains
- Chronic soft tissue pain from repetitive stress or partial tears
Soft tissue injuries often involve microscopic damage, inflammation, or impaired blood flow, which can delay healing—especially in areas with poor vascular supply like tendons and ligaments.
How PRP Therapy Supports Soft Tissue Healing
PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and injecting the platelet-rich plasma into the injured tissue. Platelets contain growth factors and signalling proteins that support the body’s natural repair mechanisms.
When injected into injured soft tissue, PRP may:
- Stimulate collagen production to repair tendon or ligament fibres
- Encourage angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) for improved tissue nutrition
- Modulate inflammation to support the transition from chronic injury to healing
- Promote cellular regeneration in muscle fibres
This regenerative process aligns well with the biology of tendons, ligaments, and muscles, which often struggle to heal fully without support.
PRP for Tendon Injuries
Tendons are strong connective tissues that anchor muscles to bones. They endure repetitive loading and are prone to degeneration over time. PRP for tendons is commonly used in cases of:
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Rotator cuff tendinosis
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Patellar tendinopathy (“jumper’s knee”)
In these conditions, PRP injections may help by delivering growth factors directly into the affected tendon, encouraging repair and reducing pain. The response is often gradual, with improvements typically noticed over weeks to months as collagen remodelling occurs.
PRP for Ligament Injuries
Ligaments connect bones and provide joint stability. When overstretched or torn, they may take a long time to heal, particularly if blood flow to the area is limited. PRP for ligament injuries is often explored in:
- Partial ligament tears (e.g., MCL sprains in the knee)
- Chronic ankle instability
- Shoulder capsule or labral damage
- Mild-to-moderate ligamentous laxity
PRP may enhance ligament healing by stimulating fibroblast activity and reducing chronic inflammation. This can help the tissue regain strength and stiffness, improving joint support.
PRP for Muscle Strains
Muscle injuries typically heal faster than tendon or ligament injuries due to better blood supply, but PRP may still be beneficial in certain scenarios:
- Severe muscle strains or partial tears
- Hamstring or quadriceps injuries in athletes
- Muscle injuries that are slow to resolve with rest alone
PRP for muscle strain may speed up tissue regeneration and reduce fibrosis, helping the muscle return to full function with lower risk of re-injury.
What to Expect: The PRP Process for Soft Tissue Injuries
If you’re considering PRP for a soft tissue injury, here’s what typically happens:
- Consultation and imaging: Your orthopaedic doctor evaluates the injury and may use ultrasound or MRI to determine if PRP is appropriate.
- Blood draw and PRP preparation: A small sample of your blood is processed in a centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich component.
- Guided injection: Using ultrasound guidance, the PRP is injected into the targeted tendon, ligament, or muscle.
- Post-injection care: You may experience soreness for a few days. Gentle movement is often encouraged, with physiotherapy introduced gradually.
- Recovery timeline: Healing may take several weeks to months, depending on the tissue involved and your adherence to the rehabilitation plan.
PRP is often most effective when combined with physiotherapy, which supports mobility, strength, and neuromuscular control.
