What PRP Injections Can Do For Chronic Tendon Pain?
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections relieve chronic tendon pain by delivering high-concentration platelets directly into the affected tendon tissue. These platelets, taken from your own blood, release growth factors that stimulate tissue regeneration in damaged tendons. Other than that, these injections regenerate collagen, reduce inflammation, and improve joint lubrication.
At Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our specialists provide PRP for tendonitis and chronic tendon injuries under ultrasound guidance. Depending on the severity of your tendon damage, we will create a targeted treatment plan that may include single or multiple PRP injections. Call us today at 855-321-6784 for immediate PRP treatment.
Can PRP Injections Provide Relief for Chronic Tendon Pain?
Yes, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections can offer relief for chronic tendon pain, such as tennis shoulder, jumper’s knee, and Achilles tendinitis. During your treatment, your doctor extracts a blood sample and centrifuges it (spinning it at high speed to separate platelets from other blood components). Then, they inject the PRP directly into your injured tendon.
Once injected, these platelets release growth factors, cytokines, and proteins that stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Moreover, these factors promote collagen synthesis and angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) in the damaged tendon tissue. Over time, this process restores tendon structure, flexibility, and function, while significantly reducing chronic pain.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for PRP Therapy?
PRP injections are effective for individuals with chronic tendon injuries, ligament injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, or tendinopathy that haven’t improved despite conservative treatments. Your doctor may also recommend PRP injections if you experience persistent pain, limited tendon function, and damaged tissue that needs collagen stimulation.
Moreover, PRP therapy can help you restore function if you have specific conditions, such as:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Patellar tendon injuries
- Elbow tendon injuries (tennis or golfer’s elbow)
- Ligament sprains or partial tears
- Chronic tendinosis or tendinopathy
How Does Age Affect PRP Treatment Outcomes?
As you get older, the number and quality of platelets in your blood naturally decline, which can reduce the effectiveness of PRP treatments. Therefore, older patients often experience slower healing and decreased tissue regeneration. In contrast, younger patients typically have strong platelet activity, leading to faster recovery.
For instance, a study published on PubMed showed that PRP from young donors (18–35 years) promoted a more youthful phenotype in tendons and cartilage. Moreover, it significantly increased type II collagen and SOX-9 expression (tissue regeneration indicator). However, PRP from older donors (≥65 years) was less effective at stimulating tendon and cartilage healing, showing a reduced capacity to support tissue regeneration.
What Is the Success Rate of PRP for Tendon Issues?
After PRP treatment, 85% of patients return to their normal activities. According to NIH data, a systematic review of 13 studies involving 697 patients with tendinopathy showed significant pain reduction, with a pooled VAS score of 71.24 (95% CI: 53.06–89.42) and functional improvement measured by VISA-A scores ranging from 35.10 to 86.80. Additionally, 72% of patients reported satisfaction with their results.
What Types of Tendon Injuries Are Commonly Treated With PRP?
PRP is used to treat patellar tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, partial rotator cuff tears, and ligament tears. Beyond these conditions, PRP can treat chronic tendinosis, musculoskeletal injuries, tendinopathy, muscle injuries, and overuse-related tendon damage. Here are some other conditions PRP can treat:
- Elbow tendon injuries, such as golfer’s elbow
- Achilles tendon ruptures or chronic degeneration
- Hamstring or quadriceps tendon injuries
- Small ligament injuries that do not require surgery
- Chronic shoulder tendinosis and labral injuries
Moreover, PRP therapy is also effective for degenerative tendon conditions, including arthritis and osteoarthritis. For example, according to a meta-analysis on NCBI, 517 patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis (degeneration of the tendon) received PRP therapy. After 12 months, the overall success rate was 62.1%.
How Do PRP Injections Differ From Stem Cell Therapy?
PRP uses your own blood, which is centrifuged to concentrate platelets, growth factors, and plasma proteins. On the other hand, stem cell therapy uses mesenchymal stem cells harvested from bone marrow and fat tissue. Beyond that, PRP primarily activates your body’s existing cells to stimulate tissue regeneration. In contrast, stem cell therapy provides new regenerative cells that can replace damaged tendon, ligament, or cartilage tissue.
At Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our specialists can assess your tendon condition to determine whether PRP, stem cell therapy, or another treatment is best for your recovery. We also guide you through post-procedure rehabilitation to ensure long-term relief. Contact us to schedule your consultation today.
What Is the Recovery Timeline After PRP Therapy?
After PRP therapy, initial recovery usually takes 4 to 12 weeks, during which you may experience mild soreness, swelling, or stiffness at the injection site. By the 6th week, you begin to notice reduced pain, improved tendon function, and increased range of motion. After that, you can gradually increase activity levels and participate in strengthening exercises to support collagen remodeling and tendon regeneration.
What Are the Different Types of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections?
There are four main types of platelet-rich plasma injections, including leukocyte-rich PRP, leukocyte-poor PRP, pure PRP, and platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM). Each type contains a different mix of concentrated platelets, white/red blood cells, and plasma. Here’s how each type helps reduce tendon pain, improve tissue repair, and support healing:
Leukocyte-Rich PRP (LR-PRP)
Leukocyte-rich PRP contains a high concentration of white blood cells and platelets collected from your own blood. Doctors often recommend this type of PRP for soft tissue injuries like ligament sprains or tendinitis.
Leukocyte-Poor PRP (LP-PRP)
Leukocyte-poor PRP contains a high concentration of platelets but a low concentration of white blood cells. By limiting white blood cells, these injections avoid triggering an aggressive immune response. It also supports cartilage repair and improves mobility without increasing joint irritation.
Pure PRP
Pure PRP contains a high platelet count with minimal white blood cells and blood plasma. This focused formula supports precise tissue healing with reduced inflammation. Under ultrasound guidance, doctors inject this pure PRP directly into the joint, helping initiate the cartilage regeneration process.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM)
PRFM is a thicker, gel-like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that releases growth factors slowly and consistently over time. This continuous release supports the healing of damaged joint tissues, especially when long-term repair is required.
If you’re dealing with tendon pain, our surgeons can help you restore joint function and treat musculoskeletal injuries. We use scientifically proven PRP treatments to reduce inflammation, promote cartilage repair, and improve joint mobility. Contact us to determine which platelet-rich plasma therapy is best suited for your condition.
Tip: Apply ice for 10–15 minutes after activity to reduce post-injection swelling and soreness.
Which Activities Should You Avoid After Receiving PRP Treatment?
After PRP treatment, avoid running, jumping, heavy lifting, and high-impact sports for at least 1–2 weeks. These movements can interfere with tendon healing, collagen formation, and tissue regeneration. You should also avoid sudden movements and prolonged repetitive motions that stress the tendons.
Moreover, to prevent recurring tendon pain after PRP treatment, you should avoid the following activities:
- Carrying grocery bags or backpacks for long periods
- Repetitive typing or mouse use without breaks
- Kneeling or squatting for extended periods
- Pushing or pulling heavy objects repeatedly
- Frequent stair climbing or hopping motions
Book a Consultation with Dr. John Bianchi at Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine for Advanced PRP Treatment!
Ongoing pain from Achilles, Patellar, and Elbow tendon injuries can severely limit your daily movement and comfort. If left untreated, it can lead to joint stiffness, reduced strength, and more cartilage damage over time. You may also struggle with walking, bending, or lifting, and experience frequent pain flare-ups or swelling.
Our team at Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine offers advanced PRP therapy for tendon pain relief. Moreover, to make your treatment convenient, our team offers all treatments under one roof, including both non-surgical/surgical treatments, as well as pain management. Call us today at 855-321-6784 or visit our clinic at 2510 Westchester Ave, #100, Bronx, NY 10461, for treatment of tendon pain.
FAQs
Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Worth It for Tendon Repair?
Yes, PRP can help reduce tendon pain and support healing, especially in chronic tendinopathy or partial tears that don’t improve with rest or NSAIDs. It can ease discomfort and improve function over time by stimulating the body’s natural healing response. However, it does not provide long-term relief for severe tendon damage or full-thickness tears.
How Many PRP Sessions Do You Need for Injured Tendons?
Most injured tendons need 1 to 3 PRP sessions, depending on how your tendon responds. For instance, mild or moderate tendinopathy may improve after just one injection, while severe or partial tendon tears often need two sessions. In more serious cases, you may also need a third session based on your progress and recovery.
Will PRP Still Work if I Have Already Tried Steroid Injections?
Yes, PRP can still provide pain relief even if you’ve already had steroid injections. Steroids may temporarily reduce inflammation and pain, but they don’t promote healing of the tendon tissue. On the other hand, PRP stimulates the body’s natural healing processes, encouraging tendon healing and improving function over time.
Can Multiple Painful Tendons Be Treated With PRP?
Yes, you can treat multiple painful tendons with PRP injections. Your doctor injects each affected area separately, targeting all areas that require tissue healing. However, if several tendons are severely damaged or your symptoms worsen over time, PRP alone may not be sufficient. In such cases, you may need surgical repair to restore function and reduce long-term pain.
Do I Need to Stop Medications Before Getting PRP?
Yes, you should avoid certain medications before getting PRP. For example, blood-thinning medications (like aspirin, warfarin, or some anti-inflammatories) can reduce platelet function and affect PRP’s effectiveness. You may also need to stop herbal supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E, and ginkgo biloba, as they can interfere with the healing process.
How Do I Know if PRP Is Working for My Tendon?
If you notice gradual pain relief, reduced stiffness, and improved function, it indicates that your tendon is responding to PRP therapy. Moreover, you may experience improved range of motion and increased strength as your tendon heals. As you recover, you may also notice less pain while bending your knee, lifting your arm, or gripping objects.
Do I Need Imaging Before Getting Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP)?
Yes, you may need imaging before undergoing PRP treatment. Your doctor often uses an ultrasound or an MRI to assess the tendon’s condition and guide the injection accurately. Additionally, imaging helps ensure that PRP targets the damaged tissue effectively. It can also help track your tendon’s healing progress after the treatment.
