Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses a concentrated portion of a patient’s own blood that contains platelets and plasma proteins. The blood is processed at the point of care, and the prepared PRP is then injected into a selected musculoskeletal structure based on the diagnosis and treatment plan.
PRP is sometimes considered for certain joint, tendon, ligament, or other soft-tissue conditions when conservative treatment has not provided enough improvement. Evidence and expected benefit vary by condition, injection location, and PRP preparation method, so it is not appropriate for every patient or every pain problem.
At Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists, Dr. Zwade Marshall and Dr. Jennifer Xiong review the diagnosis, imaging, previous treatment, medications, health history, and current evidence before discussing whether PRP may be reasonable as part of a broader treatment plan.
Request an Appointment or call (404) 618-0995 to schedule an evaluation at our Fayetteville, Marietta, or Atlanta office.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma is prepared from a sample of your own blood. After the blood is drawn, it is processed in a centrifuge so that a portion with a higher concentration of platelets can be separated from other blood components.
Platelets contain proteins and signaling molecules involved in normal clotting and tissue-response processes. PRP injections are used in several areas of medicine, including selected musculoskeletal applications, but the evidence is not equally strong for every condition.
The prepared PRP is injected into a specific target identified through the clinical evaluation. The goal is to expose that area to concentrated autologous platelets and plasma components, not to replace damaged tissue or guarantee tissue regeneration.
PRP does not cure arthritis, reverse all degeneration, or guarantee that an injured tendon, ligament, joint, or other structure will heal.
Who May Be a Candidate for PRP Therapy?
PRP may be considered for selected patients with a defined musculoskeletal diagnosis when conservative treatment has not provided enough improvement and the physician believes the available evidence reasonably supports its use for that condition.
You may be evaluated for PRP if you have:
- A specific tendon, ligament, joint, or soft-tissue problem that may be appropriate for PRP
- Persistent symptoms despite activity modification, rehabilitation, medications, or other conservative care
- A diagnosis that can be matched to an appropriate injection target
- Realistic expectations about the uncertainty and variability of PRP outcomes
- The ability to participate in rehabilitation or activity modification when recommended after the injection
PRP may not be appropriate when pain has not been clearly diagnosed, when a different treatment has stronger evidence, or when medical conditions or medications make blood collection or injection less appropriate.
Your provider will also consider infection risk, bleeding risk, blood disorders, medications, pregnancy, overall health, and whether another treatment is more suitable.
What Conditions May Be Considered for PRP Therapy?
PRP has been studied for a range of musculoskeletal conditions, but evidence, technique, and patient selection vary. At RSPS, whether PRP is considered depends on the specific diagnosis rather than on pain alone.
Selected Tendon Problems
PRP may be discussed for certain chronic tendon conditions when symptoms persist despite appropriate rehabilitation and other conservative care.
Selected Ligament or Soft-Tissue Injuries
Some ligament and soft-tissue problems may be evaluated for PRP depending on the structure involved, chronicity of the injury, imaging findings, and available evidence.
Selected Joint Conditions
PRP has been studied for some painful joint conditions, including certain degenerative joint problems. The degree of benefit is variable, and PRP is not a method for restoring a joint to a normal, pre-arthritic state.
Other Musculoskeletal Applications
PRP is also being studied in other musculoskeletal and spine-related settings. Not every investigational or emerging use is appropriate for routine treatment, and your physician will discuss whether evidence supports the proposed application.
PRP is not a general treatment for every type of back pain, neck pain, or joint pain.
PRP and FDA Regulation
PRP is prepared from a patient’s own blood using a processing system. Some devices used to prepare PRP have FDA clearance for specific preparation or handling indications. Device clearance does not mean that every PRP injection is FDA-approved as a treatment for every musculoskeletal or pain condition.
The clinical use of PRP depends on the preparation method, target tissue, medical indication, and physician judgment. Evidence ranges from stronger support in some musculoskeletal applications to limited or still-developing evidence in others.
RSPS does not present PRP as a proven way to regenerate all damaged tissue, reverse arthritis, or guarantee avoidance of surgery. During consultation, your physician can explain the rationale for the proposed use, alternatives, expected uncertainties, and whether PRP is being considered in an area where evidence remains limited.
How Is PRP Prepared and Injected?
PRP treatment generally begins with a standard blood draw. The collected blood is placed into a preparation system and centrifuged to separate blood components and create the platelet-rich portion used for the injection.
The exact platelet concentration and cellular composition can differ among PRP preparation systems. This is one reason results from different studies and treatment protocols cannot always be assumed to be identical.
After the PRP is prepared, the physician injects it into the selected target using sterile technique. Depending on the structure being treated, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or another guidance method may be used when clinically appropriate.
The exact injection target, guidance method, volume, and preparation approach are determined by the diagnosis and treatment plan.
What Happens During a PRP Injection?
The visit includes both preparation of the PRP and the injection itself.
First, blood is drawn from a vein. The sample is processed to isolate the PRP. The treatment area is then cleaned, and local anesthetic or another comfort measure may be used depending on the location and plan.
The physician identifies the target structure and places the needle using the appropriate technique. The PRP is then injected into the selected area.
Because PRP is an autologous product made from your own blood, there is no donor tissue involved. The procedure still involves blood handling and an injection, so sterile technique and appropriate patient selection remain important.
What to Expect Before, During, and After PRP Therapy
Before the Procedure
Your provider will confirm the diagnosis and review whether PRP is a reasonable option compared with other treatments.
Tell your care team if you:
- Take blood-thinning or antiplatelet medications
- Take anti-inflammatory medications or other medicines that could affect the treatment plan
- Have an active infection, fever, or recent illness
- Have a blood or platelet disorder
- Have anemia or another condition affecting blood counts
- Have diabetes, cancer, immune-system disease, or another significant medical condition
- Are pregnant or may be pregnant
- Have had recent changes in your health
Do not stop prescription or over-the-counter medications unless your treating clinician specifically instructs you to do so.
During the Procedure
Blood is collected and processed, and the prepared PRP is injected into the selected target. The amount of time required varies with the preparation system, injection site, and whether image guidance is used.
After the Procedure
Temporary soreness, swelling, or an increase in pain can occur after the injection. Your provider will give individualized instructions regarding activity, rehabilitation, medications, and follow-up.
Contact the office if you develop fever, increasing redness or drainage, severe or rapidly worsening pain, new weakness or numbness, shortness of breath, or another concerning symptom.
Risks, Side Effects, and Safety Considerations
PRP uses a patient’s own blood, which reduces concerns about donor-related reactions, but the blood draw and injection still carry potential risks.
Possible risks and side effects include:
- Temporary pain, soreness, swelling, or stiffness after the injection
- Bruising or bleeding from the blood draw or injection
- Infection
- Injury to a nearby nerve, blood vessel, tendon, joint, or other structure
- Temporary worsening of symptoms
- Fainting or lightheadedness with blood collection
- Failure to improve symptoms
- Need for additional treatment
The specific risks depend on the structure being treated, injection technique, medical history, medications, and whether image guidance is used.
PRP should not be described as risk-free simply because it comes from the patient’s own blood.
How Soon Can PRP Therapy Help?
PRP is not generally expected to work like a local anesthetic injection that can temporarily numb an area right away. Some patients experience post-procedure soreness before any improvement is noticed.
When PRP is helpful, changes may develop gradually over the following weeks as symptoms and function are reassessed. The timing varies by diagnosis, tissue, rehabilitation plan, and individual response.
Some patients do not experience meaningful improvement. There is no guaranteed timeline or percentage of pain relief.
How Long Can the Benefits of PRP Therapy Last?
The duration of benefit after PRP varies considerably. It depends on the underlying condition, severity of tissue damage, treatment target, PRP preparation, activity level, rehabilitation, and individual response.
Some patients may experience sustained improvement, while others have partial, temporary, or no meaningful benefit. PRP does not prevent future injury or stop all progression of degenerative disease.
Long-term care may still include strengthening, physical therapy, weight management, activity changes, medications, or other procedures depending on the diagnosis.
Can PRP Injections Be Repeated?
Repeat PRP treatment may be considered in selected situations, but there is no universal schedule that applies to every condition.
Your provider will consider:
- The diagnosis and treatment target
- How much improvement followed the previous injection
- How long any benefit lasted
- The current examination and imaging findings
- Whether rehabilitation and other treatments have been completed
- The evidence supporting repeat treatment for that condition
- Whether a different treatment is more appropriate
If PRP provides little or no meaningful benefit, repeating it automatically may not be the best next step.
What Happens If PRP Therapy Does Not Help?
If PRP does not provide meaningful improvement, your provider may reassess the diagnosis, treatment target, and whether another pain generator is contributing.
Possible next steps can include:
- Physical therapy or a revised rehabilitation program
- Activity, ergonomic, or strengthening changes
- Medication adjustments
- A different injection or interventional procedure
- Updated imaging or additional diagnostic evaluation
- Referral for orthopedic or surgical evaluation when appropriate
- Continued non-procedural management when another intervention is unlikely to help
The next step should be based on the underlying condition rather than on repeating PRP solely because the first treatment was unsuccessful.
Why Choose Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists?
Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists provides comprehensive interventional pain management and evaluation of selected regenerative-medicine options.
Our physicians, Dr. Zwade Marshall and Dr. Jennifer Xiong, are Harvard-trained, double-board certified anesthesiologists and interventional pain management specialists.
Our approach to PRP includes:
- Confirming the diagnosis before recommending an injection
- Discussing where evidence for PRP is stronger, limited, or still developing
- Clear explanation of alternatives and realistic expectations
- Targeted injection technique and image guidance when clinically appropriate
- Integration with rehabilitation and other treatments rather than presenting PRP as a stand-alone cure
- Reassessment when response is limited
- No guarantee that PRP will regenerate tissue, eliminate pain, or prevent surgery
PRP Therapy in Fayetteville, Marietta, and Atlanta
Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists offers evaluation for platelet-rich plasma therapy through our offices in Fayetteville, Marietta, and Atlanta.
Fayetteville
Our Fayetteville pain management clinic is located at:
874 West Lanier Ave., Suite 250
Fayetteville, GA 30214
Marietta
Our Marietta pain management clinic is located at:
3939 Roswell Road, Suite 240
Marietta, GA 30062
Atlanta
Our Atlanta pain management clinic is located in Buckhead at:
371 E Paces Ferry Rd NE, Suite 802
Atlanta, GA 30305
Evaluation, PRP preparation, injection, and follow-up may occur at different locations depending on the treatment plan. Our team will confirm the appropriate location when scheduling.
For questions about PRP therapy, call (404) 618-0995 or contact Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions About PRP Therapy
PRP therapy uses a concentrated portion of a patient’s own blood containing platelets and plasma proteins. The prepared PRP is injected into a selected treatment target based on the diagnosis.
PRP may be considered for selected tendon, ligament, joint, and other musculoskeletal conditions. The evidence and expected benefit vary by diagnosis, so patient selection is important.
Some devices used to prepare PRP have FDA clearance for specific preparation or handling indications. That does not mean every PRP injection is FDA-approved as a treatment for every musculoskeletal or pain condition.
Blood is drawn from the patient and processed in a centrifuge to separate a platelet-rich portion. The exact composition can vary depending on the preparation system.
The physician identifies the target structure and injects the prepared PRP using sterile technique. Ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or another guidance method may be used when clinically appropriate.
Improvement, when it occurs, is often gradual rather than immediate. Some patients experience temporary soreness first, and there is no guaranteed timeline.
The duration varies by diagnosis, treatment target, PRP preparation, rehabilitation, and individual response. Some patients have sustained improvement, while others have partial, temporary, or no meaningful benefit.
Potential risks include temporary pain or swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, injury to a nearby structure, lightheadedness with blood collection, temporary worsening of symptoms, and failure to improve.
Repeat treatment may be considered in selected cases based on the diagnosis, response to the first injection, and evidence supporting additional treatment. There is no universal schedule.
PRP should not be presented as a guaranteed way to regrow tissue, reverse arthritis, or restore a damaged structure to normal. The goal is to consider whether it may improve symptoms and function for a specific diagnosis.
Your provider may reassess the diagnosis and consider rehabilitation changes, medications, another procedure, updated imaging, or orthopedic or surgical evaluation when appropriate.
Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists offers PRP evaluation through its Fayetteville, Marietta, and Atlanta, Georgia locations. The scheduling team can confirm where the procedure and follow-up care are performed.
Schedule an Appointment for PRP Therapy Evaluation
PRP is one of several options that may be discussed for selected musculoskeletal conditions, but whether it makes sense depends on the diagnosis, available evidence, prior treatment, and your goals.
Dr. Zwade Marshall and Dr. Jennifer Xiong can review your condition and discuss PRP alongside rehabilitation, medication, conventional injections, surgery, and other treatment options when appropriate.
Request an Appointment online or call (404) 618-0995 to schedule with Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists.
Patients can also review our financial options or contact our office with questions before scheduling.