PRP

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.

Researched and edited by Rob MartinezNot medically reviewed. No clinician has reviewed this page. Why that mattersLast updated 2026-09-17

Regulatory and evidence status

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.

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.

What providers commonly offer it for

  • Tendon injuries such as tennis elbow and Achilles problems
  • Osteoarthritis-related joint discomfort
  • Hair and skin aesthetic procedures

What a first visit usually involves

  1. A blood draw, usually from your arm.
  2. The sample is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets.
  3. The injection, often the same visit and sometimes guided by ultrasound.
  4. A follow-up plan, since providers often stage PRP over more than one session.

Questions to ask a provider

  • What platelet concentration do you target, and how do you measure it?
  • Is the injection guided by ultrasound?
  • How many sessions do you typically recommend, and why?
  • What outcomes have you seen for a case like mine?

PRP: 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.

This page describes a treatment, not any one clinic's version of it, and it is information rather than medical advice. Read the editorial policy.