Eric Tannenbaum, MD

Patient information · Sports medicine & orthobiologics

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

PRP uses a concentrated portion of your own blood to treat certain tendon and joint problems. This page explains what PRP is, where the research shows it helps most, what to expect on the day of your injection, and how to prepare.

Ask if PRP is right for you See the top 10 uses
Where
In the office, Southern Indiana Orthopedics
Guidance
Real-time ultrasound
Time
About 45 to 60 minutes start to finish
Downtime
Soreness for 2 to 3 days; most return to daily activities right away
Cost
$800 flat rate, self-pay

The basics

What is platelet-rich plasma?

Platelets are best known for clotting blood, but they also carry proteins called growth factors that signal the body to repair tissue. PRP is made by drawing a small amount of your blood and spinning it in a centrifuge so the platelets are concentrated to several times their normal level.

That concentrate is then injected into an injured tendon or an arthritic joint. Because it comes from your own body, the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is very low. PRP is most useful for tissues with a limited blood supply that have not healed with rest, activity changes and physical therapy.

PRP is not a cure-all. It works better for some conditions than others, and results vary from person to person. The research summary below is meant to give you an honest picture so you can make an informed choice with Dr. Tannenbaum.

Is it right for me?

Who is a good candidate

PRP may be a good fit if you

  • Have a chronic tendon problem that has not improved after 3 or more months of physical therapy and activity changes
  • Have mild to moderate knee arthritis and want an option other than repeated cortisone shots
  • Want to delay or avoid surgery, or are not ready for a joint replacement
  • Are having a rotator cuff repair and want to discuss ways to support healing
  • Are an athlete or active adult hoping for longer-lasting relief than cortisone usually provides

PRP is usually not recommended if you

  • Have a low platelet count or another blood or clotting disorder
  • Have an active infection, fever, or a skin infection at the injection site
  • Are being treated for cancer, especially blood or bone cancers
  • Are pregnant
  • Take blood thinners that cannot safely be paused (discuss with Dr. Tannenbaum)
  • Have severe, end-stage arthritis, where results are much less predictable

What the research shows · Updated October 2026

The top 10 orthopedic uses of PRP

Ranked by the strength of current evidence, from the most to the least supported. Tap any condition to see what the studies found.

Strong Multiple high-quality trials and meta-analyses agree Moderate Good trials favor PRP, with some limits Mixed Studies disagree; may help selected patients
  1. Knee osteoarthritisMild to moderate arthritisStrong

    This is the most studied use of PRP. A 2024 meta-analysis of 16 randomized trials with nearly 2,000 patients found PRP gave better pain relief and symptom improvement than hyaluronic acid (gel), cortisone or saline injections, and fewer patients needed additional procedures. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons guideline also lists PRP as an option that may reduce pain and improve function.

    What it does not do: PRP has not been shown to regrow cartilage on MRI. It works best before arthritis becomes severe.

    Oeding et al., Am J Sports Med 2024; AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline, 2021

  2. Rotator cuff repairAdded during arthroscopic surgeryStrong

    When PRP is applied at the time of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, studies show the repaired tendon is less likely to tear again. A 2024 meta-analysis pooling 21 randomized trials found significantly lower retear rates with PRP than with repair alone.

    Shen et al., Medicine (Baltimore) 2024

  3. Gluteal tendinopathyGluteus medius and minimus, outer hip painStrong

    In a double-blind randomized trial, patients with chronic gluteal tendon pain who received a single ultrasound-guided PRP injection improved more than those who received cortisone. Follow-up at two years showed the PRP group kept its improvement, while the benefit of cortisone faded.

    Fitzpatrick et al., Am J Sports Med 2018 and 2019 (2-year follow-up)

  4. Plantar fasciitisHeel painModerate

    A 2025 meta-analysis of 8 studies (599 patients) found cortisone gives faster relief in the first few months, but PRP produces better function at 6 to 12 months and beyond, as the effect of cortisone wears off.

    J Taibah Univ Med Sci 2025;20(1):120–128

  5. Patellar tendinopathyJumper's kneeModerate

    Trials show PRP combined with a structured strengthening program can improve pain and return to sport in patients who have not improved with therapy alone. Results depend on how the PRP is prepared, and recent reviews are working to define the best method.

    SICOT-J 2025 meta-analysis of centrifugation methods

  6. Rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial tearsWithout surgeryModerate

    For shoulder tendon irritation and partial-thickness tears, several trials show PRP provides longer-lasting relief than cortisone, especially when paired with physical therapy. It is a reasonable option for patients who want to avoid repeated steroid injections into the shoulder.

  7. Tennis elbowLateral epicondylitisMixed

    Compared with cortisone, PRP has generally shown better results at 6 months and later. However, a 2026 meta-analysis of 6 placebo-controlled trials (355 patients) found PRP was not clearly better than a saline injection. Many cases of tennis elbow improve on their own, so PRP is best reserved for symptoms that persist despite therapy and bracing.

    Santos et al., OrthoEvidence 2026 (SLARD)

  8. Hip osteoarthritisEarly arthritis of the hipMixed

    PRP for hip arthritis performs about as well as hyaluronic acid (gel) injections, with some studies favoring PRP for longer-lasting pain relief. The evidence is thinner than for the knee, and it is best suited to early arthritis.

    Systematic review and meta-analysis, PRP vs hyaluronic acid for hip OA, 2023

  9. Meniscus repairAdded during knee arthroscopyMixed

    Some studies suggest PRP added at the time of meniscus repair improves healing rates and lowers the chance of repeat surgery, while others show no difference. Dr. Tannenbaum may discuss it as an option for selected repairs.

  10. Achilles tendinopathyChronic Achilles tendon painMixed

    Results for chronic Achilles tendon pain are inconsistent. The best-designed trials have not shown a clear advantage over a structured strengthening program alone, so a dedicated eccentric exercise program remains the first step.

    de Vos et al., JAMA 2010

Where PRP has not been shown to help

  • Acute Achilles tendon ruptures (a large randomized trial found no benefit)
  • Ankle arthritis (a randomized trial found no benefit over saline)
  • Severe, bone-on-bone arthritis of any joint
  • Regrowing cartilage or reversing arthritis

Your appointment

The PRP procedure

Everything happens in a single visit at our office. Plan for about an hour.

  1. The blood draw

    A small amount of blood, similar to a routine lab test, is drawn from your arm in our clinic.

  2. The spin

    Your blood is placed in a centrifuge, which spins it for several minutes to separate the layers and concentrate the platelets and growth factors.

  3. Ultrasound-guided injection

    The skin is numbed, and Dr. Tannenbaum uses real-time ultrasound to place the PRP precisely into the injured tendon or joint.

How PRP works in the body
  1. Separation. Spinning your blood separates the heavier red cells from the golden, platelet-rich plasma.
  2. Activation. Once injected, the platelets collect in the injured area and become activated.
  3. Growth factor release. Activated platelets release proteins such as PDGF, VEGF and TGF-β that signal repair.
  4. Repair and remodeling. These signals draw your body's repair cells to the area, support new small blood vessels, and help organize new collagen in the tendon over the following months.

Before & after your injection

How to prepare

Important: avoid anti-inflammatory medicines

PRP works by starting a controlled healing response. Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) can blunt the platelets and may reduce the benefit of your injection.

  • Stop all NSAIDs 2 weeks before your injection: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), meloxicam, diclofenac, celecoxib (Celebrex) and pain-reliever aspirin.
  • Do not restart NSAIDs for at least 1 week after your injection.
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safe to use as directed.
  • If you take a daily aspirin or a blood thinner prescribed for your heart or to prevent stroke, do not stop it on your own. Tell us, and check with the doctor who prescribes it.

Day of your injection

  • Eat a normal meal and drink plenty of water. Being well hydrated makes the blood draw easier.
  • Wear loose clothing that allows access to the area being treated.
  • Tell us if you have had a cortisone injection in the same area within the last 6 weeks.
  • Plan to rest the treated area for the remainder of the day.
  • Most patients can drive themselves home, but arrange a ride if the injection is in your right leg and you are sore.

What to expect

Recovery timeline

PRP works gradually. Unlike cortisone, it is not meant to give instant relief, so patience during the first few weeks is important.

  1. Days 1 to 3

    Soreness phase

    Soreness, fullness or an ache at the injection site is normal and reflects the healing response. Rest, use Tylenol, and apply ice for 15 minutes at a time as needed.

  2. Weeks 1 to 4

    Repair phase

    Soreness settles. Return to light daily activities and begin or resume a guided, low-impact physical therapy program. Avoid heavy lifting, running or sports with the treated area unless cleared.

  3. Weeks 4 to 6

    Early improvement

    Many patients begin to notice less pain and better function around this time.

  4. Months 3 to 6

    Peak benefit

    Tissue remodeling continues for months. Improvement usually peaks between 3 and 6 months, and Dr. Tannenbaum will see you in follow-up to review your progress and next steps.

Call us right away if you notice

  • Fever, or redness, warmth or drainage at the injection site that worsens after the first 2 days
  • Severe pain that is not controlled with Tylenol and ice
  • New numbness, tingling or weakness

Safety

Risks and side effects

Because PRP comes from your own blood, it is considered very safe. The most common side effect is temporary soreness and swelling at the injection site, which usually settles within a few days. Less common risks include bruising, infection, nerve irritation and, rarely, a flare of joint pain. As with any treatment, PRP may not relieve your symptoms.

Financial policy

Cost and insurance

$800per injection, flat rateDue in full at the time of service

Why isn't PRP covered by insurance? Medicare and most commercial insurance plans currently classify PRP injections as investigational, so they do not pay for them. This is a coverage decision by insurers and does not reflect the growing body of research supporting PRP for the conditions listed above.

To make PRP available to our patients now, Southern Indiana Orthopedics offers it at a transparent, flat self-pay rate. The fee covers the PRP preparation kit, processing, and the ultrasound-guided injection.

Many patients use a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for PRP. Check with your plan administrator to confirm eligibility.

Common questions

PRP FAQ

How many injections will I need?

Many tendon problems are treated with a single injection. For knee arthritis, some patients benefit from a series, and research suggests more than one injection may give longer-lasting results. Dr. Tannenbaum will recommend a plan based on your condition and how you respond.

Is PRP the same as stem cell therapy?

No. PRP concentrates platelets from your blood. It does not contain meaningful numbers of stem cells and does not involve bone marrow or fat harvesting.

Will PRP regrow my cartilage?

No. Studies have not shown that PRP rebuilds cartilage. In arthritis it can reduce pain and improve function for many months, but it does not reverse the underlying joint wear.

How is PRP different from a cortisone shot?

Cortisone is a strong anti-inflammatory that often relieves pain within days, but the effect usually fades in weeks to a few months, and repeated injections can weaken tendons. PRP works more slowly, over 4 to 6 weeks, and for several conditions research shows the benefit lasts longer.

Does the injection hurt?

The skin is numbed first. Most patients feel pressure during the injection and soreness for a few days afterward.

Can I still have surgery later if PRP does not work?

Yes. PRP does not limit your future options, including arthroscopy or joint replacement.

Selected references

Research cited on this page

  1. Oeding JF, Varady NH, Fearington FW, et al. Platelet-rich plasma versus alternative injections for osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and statistical fragility index–based meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Sports Med. 2024;52(12):3147–3160.
  2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee (Non-Arthroplasty) Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline, 3rd ed. 2021.
  3. Shen Z, Ye X, He Y, et al. Platelet-rich plasma in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024.
  4. Fitzpatrick J, Bulsara MK, O'Donnell J, McCrory PR, Zheng MH. The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma injections in gluteal tendinopathy: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial comparing a single platelet-rich plasma injection with a single corticosteroid injection. Am J Sports Med. 2018; 2-year outcomes 2019.
  5. Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injections in recovery from plantar fasciitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2025;20(1):120–128.
  6. Impact of centrifugation parameters on platelet-rich plasma injection for patellar tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SICOT-J. 2025.
  7. Santos R, Belangero P, Antunes Junior CR, et al. Platelet-rich plasma does not improve pain or function in patients with lateral epicondylitis as compared with placebo: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. 2026.
  8. Comparing intra-articular platelet-rich plasma with hyaluronic acid for the treatment of hip osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2023.
  9. de Vos RJ, Weir A, van Schie HT, et al. Platelet-rich plasma injection for chronic Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2010;303(2):144–149.

Schedule a consultation

Find out if PRP is right for you

Dr. Tannenbaum will review your history, exam and imaging, and talk through whether PRP, physical therapy, another injection or surgery is the best fit for your goals.

Appointment line(812) 376-9353
Columbus office4665 N US Highway 31
Columbus, IN 47201
Greensburg office902 North Lincoln Street, Suite 1B
Greensburg, IN 47240
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