Platelet Rich Plasma Injections (PRP)

Platelets play an important role in accelerating the healing process and modulating an inflammatory response. An injection of platelet rich plasma (PRP) which contains concentrated growth factors, directly into the affected tissue or joint, may accelerate the healing process and improve function and reduce pain.

Your referrer has likely sent you for a PRP injection because you have a chronic tendon injury called “refractory tendinosis” affecting areas such as the elbow in tennis or golfer’s elbow or Achilles or patellar tendons or because you have mild to moderate osteoarthrosis causing pain.

There is no specific preparation prior to the procedure.

If you have had an X-Ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI scan, please bring these to your appointment.

The Radiologist will initially discuss the procedure with you.

A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient into a test tube which is then placed in a centrifuge and spun for a few minutes so that the concentrated platelets or platelet rich plasma “PRP” is separated from other blood cells.

Using a sterile technique and under ultrasound guidance, the Radiologist will inject a small amount of local anaesthetic into the overlying soft tissues to numb the area, then inject the PRP into the requested body region while visualising this using the ultrasound machine.

A PRP injection normally takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes depending on the body region involved.

Our booking coordinators will advise you of all costs involved with your PRP Injection prior to your appointment.

Results can be variable and can take several weeks before the patient feels a beneficial effect.

For chronic tendinosis, the patient often requires two PRP injections, 1 month apart.

For mild to moderate osteoarthrosis, the patient often requires three PRP injections into the joint, 1 month apart.

The risks following a PRP injection are minimal.

PRP injections are designed to use platelets to trick your body into thinking that the affected area is injured, therefore triggering a healing response from your body.

As a result, you may experience increased pain at the injection site for the first one to two weeks.

Simple regular pain relief, rest, ice and elevation of the limb for 48 hours may be of benefit.

Please avoid anti-inflammatory medications for six weeks after the PRP injection (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen).

Most patients see the most benefit approximately 4–6 weeks after the injection.

The incidence of other problems such as infection, tissue damage or nerve injuries are no higher that if you had a corticosteroid injection.