Platelet-rich plasma treatment (PRP) at Edinburgh Hospital

What is platelet-rich plasma therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma therapy, also known as PRP, is a modern, non-surgical treatment technique that uses a specific component of your own blood called plasma. PRP therapy has been shown to be highly effective at helping your body heal and repair, particularly when it comes to soft tissue and joint damage, such as that seen in conditions such as osteoarthritis¹, or post-operative wound healing². It’s delivered via injection into the affected area.

At Nuffield Health, we routinely recommend platelet-rich plasma therapy for a range of orthopaedic conditions.

Understanding platelet-rich plasma therapy

Your blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets, each playing a vital role in your body. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy focuses on platelets — the component responsible for healing — and concentrates them within your plasma.

What makes platelets so important?

Platelets are tiny, disc-shaped microscopic fragments in your blood that are produced by your body’s bone marrow. Their main purpose is to support clotting. This is when many platelets clump together at the site of a wound to plug it up and stop it from bleeding any further. But platelets have also been shown to be rich in growth factors. These are special proteins that activate your body’s natural repair mechanisms, so that it can heal itself. Injecting platelet-rich plasma tells the body to accelerate healing and repair in that specific area.

One study shows that PRP contains roughly 4.25 times the platelet concentration of whole blood, which means there are significantly increased concentrations of growth factors in a single PRP injection³.

What conditions can plasma-rich platelet therapy treat?

Platelet-rich plasma therapy can be used to treat a range of different conditions, making it an extremely versatile option for people who are looking to avoid surgery and other more invasive treatments.

PRP for musculoskeletal disorders

PRP therapy is often recommended as a technique to relieve common symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders, such as:

• Osteoarthritis: an inflammatory condition affecting the joints, such as the knees and hips.
• Tendon injuries, such as those seen in tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow and Achilles tendinopathy.
• Rotator cuff injuries, including partial tendon tears.
• Plantar fasciitis: often debilitating heel pain seen in people who stand, run or walk excessively.
• Other sprains and strains.

In musculoskeletal disorders, platelet-rich plasma treatment has been found to be effective at reducing pain⁴ and inflammation⁵, which also helps to improve range of movement and quality of life.

Other medical uses of platelet-rich plasma therapy

It’s not just orthopaedic issues where PRP therapy can help. It’s also widely used in several other therapeutic areas, including:

• Hair loss: PRP has been shown to help treat some specific types of hair loss, including male/female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
• Chronic wound care: Studies have found that PRP can accelerate wound healing for conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers/bed sores⁶, as well as non-healing surgical wounds.
• Skin/aesthetic skin treatments. In the aesthetics industry, PRP is sometimes referred to as a “vampire facial”, with proven success in stimulating collagen production to help improve skin texture, tone, health and overall appearance⁷.

Is platelet-rich plasma therapy right for me?

PRP therapy uses your own blood, which means it has a greater degree of suitability for many patients than some other options. However, that doesn’t mean that you are automatically a good candidate for this treatment.

This page covers the suitability for PRP therapy as a treatment for musculoskeletal disorders, such as knee or hip osteoarthritis, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) or tendinitis.

For people with these types of issues, PRP therapy may be suggested if you have previously tried other alternative treatments for your condition, such as physiotherapy, pain medications or steroid injections, but they haven’t provided significant or long-lasting relief. They may also be recommended if you’re looking for a treatment that will help you to delay or avoid surgery.

You may be a good candidate for PRP therapy if you:

• Have a joint, tendon or ligament injury that is taking a long time to heal.
• Have been diagnosed with mild or moderate osteoarthritis, particularly if it affects your hips, knees or ankles.
• Experience persistent pain, stiffness and/or inflammation and aren’t able to get relief using other treatments.
• Want a treatment that is minimally invasive and uses your own biology.
• Want to delay or avoid surgery.

Who is not a good candidate for platelet-rich plasma therapy?

You may not be suitable for platelet-rich plasma treatment if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Have a blood disorder, such as a low platelet count or issues with clotting.
• Have severe anaemia.
• Are being treated for any active infections.
• Have any uncontrolled chronic conditions, such as unmanaged diabetes.
• Are undergoing treatment for cancer.
• Take any blood-thinning medication.

Your consultant will assess your personal circumstances and advise you if PRP could be an effective treatment for you.

What happens during the platelet-rich plasma procedure?

Getting platelet-rich plasma therapy is very straightforward, usually takes less than 45 minutes, and you can go home the same day. It takes place over three simple steps.

1. Collecting your blood sample
The sample that will be used to prepare your PRP will be taken from your arm in the same way as a regular blood test. Exactly how much is taken can vary between individuals, but it’s usually between 10 and 60ml.

2. Preparing your PRP solution
Your sample will be placed into a special machine called a centrifuge. It spins your blood at a rapid rate so that gravity can separate the plasma and platelets from the rest. This is then extracted into a new syringe ready for treatment. This usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes, during which time you’ll be able to relax.

3. Administering your PRP treatment
As soon as your PRP solution is ready, your consultant will use an antiseptic to clean the area that’s being treated. Depending on the location of treatment and your own personal circumstances, you may also be given a local anaesthetic to help keep you comfortable.

The PRP solution will be carefully injected into the target area – often using ultrasound guidance to ensure that we administer the treatment with absolute precision and care. Most people don’t report any pain when this happens. For tendonopathy or epicondylitis, most people do feel pain with this injection.

Once your treatment is complete, you’ll be given some simple aftercare advice, including what to do if you have any concerns.

How to prepare for platelet-rich plasma therapy

As with any medical treatment, they’ll be some things that you should do ahead of your appointment that will help ensure everything goes smoothly and that you can achieve the best possible outcome. These may include:

• Stop taking certain medications in the days/weeks before your treatment. This could include anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Do not stop taking a low dose of aspirin if you currently do, and always let your medical team know if you start taking any new medications – prescription or otherwise.
• Avoid intense exercise for at least a few days. This will give your joints time to rest and prepare for your injection.
• Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy, balanced diet. You should also eat a light snack before your visit to ensure that your blood sugar levels remain stable.
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing so that your consultant can access the area easily.
• Arrive early to complete your check-in and any other pre-treatment paperwork that may be needed.

Recovery from platelet-rich plasma treatment

While you’ll be able to go home the same day as your PRP therapy, it’s important to remember that results will develop gradually over the coming days and weeks, and you almost certainly won’t notice a difference in how you feel straight away. In fact, it usually takes at least 6 to 12 weeks for people to notice a significant reduction in their pain and an increase in better movement.

An average PRP recovery timeline looks a little like this:

 It’s important to remember that everyone is different and recovery timelines can vary based on your individual circumstances.

What are the benefits of platelet-rich plasma therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma treatment provides a wide range of benefits for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. These include:

• Reduced pain and inflammation that is characteristic of many orthopaedic issues, including osteoarthritis, tendinitis and epicondylitis, as well as joint injuries.
• Better mobility and joint function, making it easier for you to move around, take part in your usual activities, retain independence and enjoy a good quality of life.
• Natural healing. PRP is a non-surgical way of accelerating your body’s natural healing processes, meaning that you’re treating the source of the issue rather than simply masking the symptoms it causes.
• Reduce reliance on medications, particularly pain relief. We know that many people are reluctant to take pain medication long-term, especially stronger drugs that are known for becoming hard to stop.
• Few risks of side effects, thanks to PRP using your own blood.
• The opportunity to delay or avoid surgical intervention altogether.
• A quick, easy, minimally invasive treatment that doesn’t require an extended period of preparation or a stay in the hospital.

How long do the benefits of platelet-rich plasma treatment last?

Every person who receives platelet-rich plasma therapy is different, and so results can vary. However, typically the effects last anywhere from six months to two years⁸. Following the post-procedure guidance and recommendations, including a physical therapy plan, provided by your medical team, will give you the best opportunity to experience the benefits of your treatment for as long as possible.

What are the risks of platelet-rich plasma treatment?

PRP is largely considered to be a very safe treatment. Nevertheless, like any other medical treatment, there are some risks and side effects to be aware of.

Possible side effects following PRP treatment

Common side effects of PRP include pain at the injection site, swelling, bruising, redness and itching.

Serious side effects of platelet-rich plasma therapy are rare. However, if you experience any of the following, you should speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible:

• Redness or swelling around the injection site that doesn’t improve after a couple of days, or that seems to be getting worse.
• Skin that feels hot to the touch around the injection site.
• A high temperature (over 38.5°C).
• Increasing pain that doesn’t improve.
• Discharge or pus coming from the injection site.
• Fever or chills.

Alternatives to PRP treatment

Not everyone is a good candidate for PRP therapy. If your consultant doesn’t think that PRP is right for you, you may be recommended an alternative treatment.

• Steroid injections: Corticosteroid injections work by reducing inflammation in the affected joint, which helps to manage pain and improve movement. The effects of steroid injections usually only last a few months, with many people requiring multiple treatments to achieve longer-term relief. Unfortunately, repeated use of steroid injections has been shown to have a negative effect on cartilage health, so long-term use may not be viable⁹.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): ESWT is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate blood flow to the joint to encourage accelerated healing. Typically, you’ll be offered up to six sessions over a number of weeks. ESWT is more often recommended for tendon and soft tissue injury, rather than osteoarthritis.
• nSTRIDE APS injections: nSTRIDE is often considered a more advanced form of PRP. It uses a high concentration of anti-inflammatory proteins and growth factors derived from your own blood to help block inflammation and reduce pain. It’s designed to be injected once into the joint, to provide relief for up to three years¹⁰.
• Arthrosamid injections: Arthrosamid injections are designed to provide longer-lasting relief for mild to moderate symptoms of osteoarthritis. They involve a non-biodegradable hydrogel being injected into the joint to provide cushioning that protects it against movement and impact. It’s administered as a single injection, and the effects can last for three years or more¹¹.

Your orthopaedic consultant will discuss your treatment options with you to help you find one that best suits your needs.

How much does platelet-rich plasma treatment cost?

For pricing information, please contact your local hospital.

Sources:
1 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8509123/
2 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7427034/
3 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4582514/
4 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9273137/
5 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-97501-6
6 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9494574/
7 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/srt.13714
8 https://nkjinstitute.com/how-long-does-prp-knee-treatment-last/
9 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772654123000818
10 https://theregenerativeclinic.co.uk/assets/nSTRIDE-3-year-data-CRPN50IN.pdf
11 https://arthrosamid.com/post/new-3-year-data-demonstrates-the-long-term-efficacy-of-arthrosamid-2-5-...