Living with chronic orthopaedic pain can affect every part of daily life—from walking and exercise to sleep and mood. When pain lingers beyond the body’s natural healing timeframe, it may indicate unresolved tissue injury or degenerative change. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy offers a regenerative approach that may support tissue recovery in chronic orthopaedic conditions, aiming to reduce pain and restore function.
This patient-friendly guide explains how PRP injections work, which chronic conditions they may help, and what you can expect before, during, and after treatment.
What Is Chronic Orthopaedic Pain?
Orthopaedic pain becomes chronic when it persists for longer than three months. This ongoing discomfort is often caused by:
- Degenerative joint conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis)
- Repetitive overuse injuries
- Poorly healed soft tissue damage
- Chronic tendinopathy or tendon degeneration
- Past ligament injuries that never fully recovered
Common symptoms include joint stiffness, dull or aching pain, pain with movement, and reduced range of motion. For many, these issues can disrupt work, sleep, and recreational activities.
How PRP Injections May Help
PRP therapy uses your body’s own healing components—specifically platelets concentrated from your blood—to target areas of chronic inflammation or tissue damage. These platelets contain growth factors and signalling proteins that may stimulate repair and modulate inflammation.
In chronic orthopaedic pain, PRP injections may:
- Encourage healing in stubborn or degenerative tissue (e.g. tendon, ligament, or cartilage)
- Modulate local inflammation that contributes to persistent pain
- Support tissue regeneration without surgical intervention
While outcomes vary, PRP is typically used as a supportive therapy alongside rehabilitation or lifestyle changes—not as a guaranteed fix.
Chronic Conditions That May Benefit from PRP
Some of the most common chronic conditions where PRP injections are considered include:
- PRP for osteoarthritis in the knee, hip, or shoulder
- PRP for tendons such as tennis elbow or Achilles tendinopathy
- PRP for rotator cuff injuries and shoulder tendonitis
- PRP for ligament damage or instability
- PRP for plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- PRP for back pain associated with facet joints or soft tissue strain
If you’re asking “is PRP effective for chronic pain in [your condition]?”, the answer depends on a thorough clinical evaluation. Evidence is growing, but the degree of benefit can vary between individuals and injury types.
What to Expect from a PRP Injection
The PRP treatment process involves several steps, all designed to ensure precision and safety:
- Initial consultation: You’ll discuss your symptoms and history with your doctor, often accompanied by imaging such as MRI or ultrasound.
- Blood draw: A small volume of your blood is collected, usually from your arm.
- PRP processing: The blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich plasma.
- Injection: Using ultrasound guidance, the PRP is carefully injected into the target area, such as a tendon or joint.
- Post-care: You may feel some soreness or discomfort at the injection site for a few days. Ice, rest, and activity modification are typically recommended during this phase.
How Long Does a PRP Injection Take?
The entire appointment usually lasts about 45–60 minutes. The injection itself is quick, but preparation and post-procedure monitoring add time. Some patients may need multiple sessions spaced weeks apart, depending on the condition.
PRP Injection Recovery Time
Recovery varies based on the location of the injection and severity of the condition. In general:
- Mild activity can often resume within 1–3 days
- Discomfort may persist for up to a week
- Tissue regeneration typically occurs over several weeks
- Physiotherapy may be recommended to improve results
Most patients are re-evaluated 6–8 weeks after treatment to assess progress.
