What is PRP?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a regenerative medicine treatment that uses a concentrated portion of your own blood to stimulate healing in injured tissues. PRP contains a high level of platelets, growth factors, and cytokines—biological agents that play a crucial role in tissue repair, inflammation control, and regeneration.

Book Online

Mechanism of Action – How Does PRP Work?

Platelets are not just responsible for clotting—they are also rich in growth factors that trigger cellular repair. When PRP is injected into a damaged area, the following occurs:

  • Localized Inflammation is triggered, recruiting healing cells to the area.
  • Growth Factor Release: Platelets release multiple bioactive proteins, including:
    • Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)
    • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)
    • Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
    • Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)
    • Epidermal growth factor (EGF)
  • Tissue Regeneration: These factors stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts, stem cells, and other repair cells, leading to tissue remodeling, angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth), and collagen synthesis.
  • Pain Reduction: PRP may also reduce pro-inflammatory mediators, helping to decrease pain in chronic degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis.

This process is natural and relies on autologous biologics (from your own body), making it generally safe and well-tolerated.

What Conditions Can PRP Help Treat?

Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic:

  • Osteoarthritis (e.g., knee, hip, shoulder)
  • Chronic tendinopathies (e.g., lateral epicondylitis, patellar tendinopathy)
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Muscle strains or partial tears
  • Post-surgical healing support
  • Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
  • SI joint pain

Aesthetic / Dermatologic (optional):

  • Early hair thinning / androgenic alopecia
  • Facial rejuvenation / collagen stimulation

Evidence is strongest for knee osteoarthritis and chronic tendinopathies. PRP is not a one-size-fits-all solution and may not be appropriate for all types of injuries or conditions.

What to Expect

Procedure Overview:

  • Blood Draw: A small sample (10–60 mL) of your blood is collected.
  • Centrifugation: Your blood is spun at high speed to isolate the platelet-rich fraction.
  • Injection: The PRP is injected into the affected area, often under ultrasound guidance.

Total Time: ~45–60 minutes
Anesthesia: Local anesthetic may be used, depending on the site
Recovery: Some soreness is common for 24–72 hours

Treatment Schedule

  • Most patients require 1–3 sessions for musculoskeletal conditions
  • Injections are spaced 4–6 weeks apart
  • Some patients benefit from booster injections every 6–12 months for chronic conditions

Risks and Side Effects

Because PRP is autologous (from your own body), allergic reactions are rare. However, as with any injection, potential risks include:

  • Injection site pain or swelling
  • Bruising
  • Temporary stiffness
  • Low risk of infection (<1%)
  • Post-injection flare due to local inflammation (typically resolves in 2–3 days)

Pre- and Post-Treatment Instructions

Before Your Appointment:

  • Avoid NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) for 3–7 days before the procedure
  • Eat a light meal and hydrate well
  • Avoid alcohol the day before

After Your Appointment:

  • Avoid NSAIDs for at least 1–2 weeks after
  • Use Tylenol for discomfort, if needed
  • Ice only if advised
  • Avoid strenuous activity for 2–5 days
  • Follow any prescribed physical therapy or rehab protocol

Insurance Coverage & Payment

PRP is not currently covered by most insurance plans. It is considered “investigational” for many orthopedic and aesthetic uses, despite growing and robust clinical evidence. It is widely used by major sports teams, military special forces, regenerative medicine and orthopedic practices with robust clinical trials.
North County Primary Care uses Ultrasound Guided imaging to provide the best possible outcomes.
Your provider will review the cost with you prior to the procedure.

Book Online

  1. Berthiaume F., Maguire T.J., Yarmush M.L. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: History, progress, and challenges. Annu. Rev. Chem. Biomol. Eng. 2011;2:403–430. doi: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-061010-114257. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Wright J.F. Quality Control Testing, Characterization and Critical Quality Attributes of Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Used for Human Gene Therapy. Biotechnol. J. 2021;16:e2000022. doi: 10.1002/biot.202000022. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Lavon N., Zimerman M., Itskovitz-Eldor J. Scalable Expansion of Pluripotent Stem Cells. Adv. Biochem. Eng./Biotechnol. 2018;163:23–37. doi: 10.1007/10_2017_26. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Matai I., Kaur G., Seyedsalehi A., McClinton A., Laurencin C.T. Progress in 3D bioprinting technology for tissue/organ regenerative engineering. Biomaterials. 2020;226:119536. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119536. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Kamat P., Frueh F.S., McLuckie M., Sanchez-Macedo N., Wolint P., Lindenblatt N., Plock J.A., Calcagni M., Buschmann J. Adipose tissue and the vascularization of biomaterials: Stem cells, microvascular fragments and nanofat-a review. Cytotherapy. 2020;22:400–411. doi: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.03.433. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Born S., Dörfel M.J., Hartjen P., Haschemi Yekani S.A., Luecke J., Meutsch J.K., Westphal J.K., Birkelbach M., Köhnke R., Smeets R., et al. A short-term plastic adherence incubation of the stromal vascular fraction leads to a predictable GMP-compliant cell-product. BioImpacts BI. 2019;9:161–172. doi: 10.15171/bi.2019.20. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Dragoo J.L., Guzman R.A. Evaluation of the Consistency and Composition of Commercially Available Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Systems. Orthop. J. Sports Med. 2020;8:2325967119893634. doi: 10.1177/2325967119893634. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Pachito D.V., Bagattini Â.M., de Almeida A.M., Mendrone-Júnior A., Riera R. Technical Procedures for Preparation and Administration of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Related Products: A Scoping Review. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 2020;8:598816. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2020.598816. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Del Amo C., Perez-Valle A., Atilano L., Andia I. Unraveling the Signaling Secretome of Platelet-Rich Plasma: Towards a Better Understanding of Its Therapeutic Potential in Knee Osteoarthritis. J. Clin. Med. 2022;11:473. doi: 10.3390/jcm11030473. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Alves R., Grimalt R. A Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma: History, Biology, Mechanism of Action, and Classification. Ski. Appendage Disord. 2018;4:18–24. doi: 10.1159/000477353. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Everts P., Onishi K., Jayaram P., Lana J.F., Mautner K. Platelet-Rich Plasma: New Performance Understandings and Therapeutic Considerations in 2020. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020;21:7794. doi: 10.3390/ijms21207794. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. DeLong J.M., Russell R.P., Mazzocca A.D. Platelet-rich plasma: The PAW classification system. Arthrosc. J. Arthrosc. Relat. Surg. 2012;28:998–1009. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2012.04.148. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Mishra A., Harmon K., Woodall J., Vieira A. Sports medicine applications of platelet rich plasma. Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. 2012;13:1185–1195. doi: 10.2174/138920112800624283. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]