Modality
PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma drawn from your own blood, concentrated, and placed where tissue needs help. What the procedure involves and how to choose who performs it.
What it is
PRP therapy uses a small sample of your own blood, spun down to concentrate the platelets, then injected at a target site. Because it comes from your own body, the sourcing questions that complicate other regenerative procedures are simpler here.
PRP is widely offered across orthopedics, sports medicine, and aesthetics. Preparation methods and platelet concentrations vary a great deal between clinics, so who performs it, and how, matters as much as the procedure itself.
Providers commonly offer it for
- Tendon injuries such as tennis elbow and Achilles problems
- Osteoarthritis-related joint discomfort
- Hair and skin aesthetic procedures
Offered for, not a claim of results. Ask any provider what the evidence shows for your specific situation.
What a first visit usually involves
- 01A blood draw, usually from your arm.
- 02The sample is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets.
- 03The injection, often the same visit and sometimes guided by ultrasound.
- 04A follow-up plan, since providers often stage PRP over more than one session.
Questions to ask a provider
The difference between a careful clinic and a marketing operation is usually in the answers to these.
- 01What platelet concentration do you target, and how do you measure it?
- 02Is the injection guided by ultrasound?
- 03How many sessions do you typically recommend, and why?
- 04What outcomes have you seen for a case like mine?
On the evidence
Evidence is stronger for some tendon and joint uses than others. Ask a provider for the specifics on your condition rather than a general endorsement.
Verified clinics offering prp therapy
All →RS–001 · Austin, TX
Clinic Name
1234 Street Name, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78701
RS–002 · Austin, TX
Clinic Name
1234 Street Name
Austin, TX 78704
RS–005 · San Diego, CA
Clinic Name
1234 Street Name
San Diego, CA 92101
From the Journal
All →Common questions
Does PRP use anything other than my own blood?
For a standard PRP procedure, no. The material is prepared from your own blood sample. Ask if anything else is being added.
How many treatments will I need?
It depends on the condition and the provider's protocol. Many clinics stage two or three sessions. Ask why they recommend the number they do.
Is PRP covered by insurance?
Usually not, as it is often considered elective. Confirm cost and payment before you book.
PRP Therapy