The complete guide
What is PRP therapy?
A straight, evidence-graded explanation of platelet-rich plasma, how it's made, what it genuinely treats, what recovery looks like, and what it costs, from an orthopedic surgeon who'll tell you when it won't help.
The short answer
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy concentrates the healing platelets from a small sample of your own blood and injects them, under ultrasound guidance, into an injured joint, tendon or ligament. The growth factors stimulate your body's natural repair response over 4–12 weeks, treating the cause of pain rather than masking it.
How PRP is made
Your own blood, concentrated into medicine.
There's nothing artificial about PRP. It's your blood, spun down to isolate its most powerful healing fraction, then placed precisely where you're injured. Four steps, about 45 minutes, no hospital.
- 01
Blood draw
We draw a small sample of your blood, just like a routine lab test. Quick, simple, and from your own body.
- 02
Concentration
A centrifuge spins the sample to concentrate your platelets to roughly 5–10× their normal level, the healing payload.
- 03
Ultrasound-guided injection
Dr. Hock injects the platelets exactly where you're injured, using real-time ultrasound for precise placement.
- 04
Natural healing
Growth factors recruit your body's repair response over the next 4–12 weeks. Real healing, not just masking pain.
What PRP treats, graded honestly
The evidence is not the same for every condition.
PRP works wonderfully for some problems and barely at all for others. Here's where it stands, by the research, tap any row for the full breakdown and sources.
| Condition | Evidence | What the research shows |
|---|---|---|
| Knee osteoarthritis Beats hyaluronic-acid injections (odds ratio ≈ 2.19); ~59% success in KL-3 knees with ≥3 injections. | Strong | Beats hyaluronic-acid injections (odds ratio ≈ 2.19); ~59% success in KL-3 knees with ≥3 injections. |
| Tennis & golfer's elbow ~73% long-term success vs. ~49% for cortisone on pain scores. | Strong | ~73% long-term success vs. ~49% for cortisone on pain scores. |
| Plantar fasciitis Matches cortisone early, better lasting relief at 6–12 months. | Strong | Matches cortisone early, better lasting relief at 6–12 months. |
| Rotator cuff & shoulder Helps an intact, irritated tendon, not a substitute for repairing a full-thickness tear. | Mixed | Helps an intact, irritated tendon, not a substitute for repairing a full-thickness tear. |
| Hip osteoarthritis Safe, but not proven better than gel injections, not first-line. | Mixed | Safe, but not proven better than gel injections, not first-line. |
| Achilles tendinopathy No difference vs. placebo at 3, 6 and 12 months, we'll be honest about it. | Weak | No difference vs. placebo at 3, 6 and 12 months, we'll be honest about it. |
Sources: systematic reviews & meta-analyses, 2024–2025; condition-specific RCTs. AAOS (2021) gives knee PRP only a "limited" recommendation because preparation methods vary between clinics, which is exactly why a surgeon-performed, ultrasound-guided protocol matters.
PRP recovery timeline
What to expect, week by week.
PRP heals on a biological clock, not a pharmaceutical one. About 80–90% of appropriate candidates improve, here's the honest arc of recovery.
Expected soreness
A flare of soreness or stiffness at the injection site is normal and a sign the healing cascade is underway. Ice, rest, and acetaminophen (avoid anti-inflammatories, which can blunt the effect).
Settling down
The initial soreness fades. You ease back into light, normal activity. It's still early, don't expect dramatic pain relief yet.
Improvement & re-evaluation
Many patients notice meaningful gains. This is also the typical window for a second injection if your condition calls for a series.
Fuller benefit
Tissue remodeling continues. For responsive conditions, this is when patients tend to see the fuller picture of how much PRP has helped.
PRP vs. cortisone vs. stem cells
How PRP compares to the alternatives.
Each has a place. Here's the honest trade-off, including the fact that we offer PRP only, not stem-cell or BMAC therapy.
Cortisone
Steroid injection
- Speed of relief
- Fast (days)
- How long it lasts
- 6–12 weeks
- What it does
- Masks inflammation
- The catch
- Can weaken tendon & cartilage with repeated use
PRP
Your own platelets
- Speed of relief
- Gradual (4–12 weeks)
- How long it lasts
- Months to longer
- What it does
- Stimulates real tissue healing
- The catch
- Cash-pay; not every condition responds (we grade honestly)
Stem cells / BMAC
Not offered here
- Speed of relief
- Varies
- How long it lasts
- Varies
- What it does
- Cell-based regeneration (different procedure)
- The catch
- We don't offer stem-cell or BMAC therapy, PRP only, honestly priced
See the full breakdown, including HSA/FSA → Cost & insurance
Is PRP safe?
Very, because it's your own blood.
PRP carries an excellent safety profile across more than three decades of medical use. Because the platelets come from your own body, there's no risk of rejection or allergic reaction to a foreign substance. The most common side effect is temporary soreness at the injection site for a few days.
What the FDA status actually means
The centrifuge systems used to prepare PRP are 510(k)-cleared medical devices. PRP itself is not FDA drug-approved for a specific orthopedic indication, because it's made from your own blood, it isn't regulated like a manufactured pharmaceutical. That's a regulatory distinction, not a safety warning.
No rejection risk
Autologous (from-your-own-body) means your immune system recognizes the platelets as your own. Used safely in orthopedics, sports medicine and wound care for 30+ years.
Who PRP helps
A good candidate, and who isn't.
PRP isn't right for everyone, and a surgeon will tell you so. Here's the honest split.
You may be a good candidate if…
- ·You have mild-to-moderate arthritis or a chronic tendon injury
- ·Conservative care, rest, PT, bracing, or cortisone, hasn't lasted
- ·Your problem is in a strongly-supported area (knee, elbow, plantar fascia)
- ·You want to treat the cause, not just mask pain, and avoid surgery
PRP is probably not your answer if…
- ·You have end-stage, bone-on-bone arthritis already indicated for replacement
- ·You have a significant full-thickness tendon tear that needs surgical repair
- ·Your problem is Achilles tendinopathy, where the evidence is weak
- ·You expect a guaranteed, instant fix from a single injection
Dr. Hock's rule: if the research doesn't support treating your specific problem, he'll tell you, and point you to what actually works.
Common questions
PRP therapy FAQ.
What is PRP therapy in simple terms?
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy concentrates the healing platelets from a small sample of your own blood and injects them, under ultrasound guidance, into an injured joint, tendon or ligament. The growth factors trigger your body's natural repair response over the following weeks.
Is PRP FDA approved?
The centrifuge systems used to prepare PRP are 510(k)-cleared medical devices, but PRP is not FDA drug-approved for a specific orthopedic indication. Because PRP is made from your own blood, it isn't regulated like a manufactured drug. It has been used in medicine for more than 30 years.
How long does PRP take to work?
Most people notice gradual improvement over 4–12 weeks as the tissue heals, this is real healing, not the instant masking you get from cortisone. Expect mild soreness for 2–4 days after the injection before improvement begins.
How many PRP injections will I need?
Most patients need a series of 1–3 injections spaced about 4–6 weeks apart. The exact number depends on the condition, knee arthritis often does best with three, while tennis elbow may respond to a single injection.
How much does PRP cost, and does insurance cover it?
At Island Orthobiologics, PRP runs $1,200–$3,000 cash-pay depending on the area and number of sessions. Most insurers classify PRP as investigational and don't cover it. HSA/FSA funds are generally eligible, confirm with your plan.
More questions? See the full PRP FAQ hub.
Your next step
Wondering if PRP could help your injury?
Take the 2-minute assessment, or talk to Dr. Hock directly. He'll give you an honest answer, even if that answer is “this won't work for you.”
or call (808) 980-1196