Injuries do not care about your schedule. Whether you play pickleball on weekends or train year-round, getting sidelined hurts in more ways than one. At University Orthopaedic Associates, our sports medicine specialists use platelet-rich plasma injections to help your body do what it is already designed to do: heal.

How Do Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Work?

Your blood contains platelets, small cells that respond when tissue gets damaged. They trigger clotting, but they also release proteins that tell your body to repair itself and reduce inflammation. Platelet-rich plasma injections take advantage of that process by concentrating those platelets and putting them exactly where healing needs to happen.

Here is how the procedure works. A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm, the same way it would be for a routine lab test. That blood goes into a centrifuge, which spins it to separate and concentrate the platelets. The resulting solution is then injected into the injured area using ultrasound guidance, so your specialist can see precisely where they are placing it, whether that is a tendon, joint or soft tissue.

From start to finish, the whole process takes about 60 minutes and is done right in the office.

What Does PRP Treat?

PRP injections tend to work best for conditions caused by wear and tear or repetitive stress, particularly when rest, medication and physical therapy have not been successful. At UOA, common reasons patients seek this treatment include:

• Tendon problems: Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy and gluteal tendinopathy
• Mild to moderate osteoarthritis: Most often in the knee, though hip and shoulder are common too
• Certain ligament or muscle injuries: Assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on severity

One thing worth knowing: PRP is not a quick fix. Results build gradually over weeks, and the treatment works best alongside a structured rehab plan.

Are You a Good Candidate?

If you are generally healthy and have a musculoskeletal condition that has not improved with conservative care, platelet-rich plasma injections may be worth discussing with your specialist. That said, certain conditions, like active infections, cancer or a disorder that affects how your platelets function, may make PRP unsuitable for you. Your sports medicine specialist at University Orthopaedic Associates will review your health history and imaging to determine whether this is the right path.

Is PRP Covered?

PRP is not covered by insurance in most cases. This is a self-pay cost to the patient. If you want to understand what to expect financially before scheduling, our team is happy to walk you through the details.

Before, During and After Your Injection

Before Your Appointment

Stop taking all NSAIDs, including Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Celebrex (all non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory agents), Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Flax Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, or any other essential fatty acids, at least 7 days prior. These medications interfere with the very healing response PRP is trying to activate. Drink plenty of water, eat a normal meal and wear something that gives easy access to the area being treated.

After the Injection

Plan for a lighter day. Some soreness at the injection site is completely normal, and for tendon treatments, it can last several days. Tylenol is fine for pain if you need it, but hold off on NSAIDs for the full 3 weeks following treatment.

Recovery moves in stages. Here is what most people experience:

• Days 1–3: Rest and stick to light daily activity
• Weeks 1–2: Begin gentle range-of-motion work; avoid high-impact exercise
• Weeks 2–6: Start a progressive strengthening program, ideally with formal physical therapy

When Will You Feel a Difference?

PRP takes time. Some patients notice improvement around the 4 to 6 week mark, with more noticeable results by 6 to 12 weeks. Continued improvement is possible for 3 to 6 months or longer, depending on what is being treated and how your body responds.

Treatment at University Orthopaedic Associates

At University Orthopaedic Associates, we start with one injection and check in at 6 weeks and again at 3 months to see how you are responding before deciding on any next steps. Every recovery plan is built around your specific condition, imaging findings and goals.

If you think platelet-rich plasma injections might be the right move, contact UOA today to schedule a consultation with one of our sports medicine specialists.