Why PRP Isn’t Just for Elite Athletes Anymore

From the pros to everyday runners and golfers, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has become a standard therapy for healing. Now that it’s no longer just for professional athletes, it’s helping people of all ages and activity levels recover from injuries, manage pain and return to the activities they love.

What is PRP and how does it work?

PRP involves taking a small sample of your blood and spinning it in a centrifuge machine. This rapid spinning separates platelets from the other components. Your doctor then draws up this concentrated dose of platelets and injects it into the injured body part, like your knee or shoulder.

Platelets release natural healing proteins. “These growth factors help your body reduce inflammation and stimulate healing,” says Stephen Noel Henry, D.O., an orthopedic sports medicine doctor at the University of Miami Health System.

Discovered in the 1950s, PRP injections were first used in surgery and dentistry. In the 2000s, the treatment entered sports medicine and orthopedics.

Who benefits from PRP?

From professionals in the MLB, NBA, NFL, PGA and MMA to the everyday “weekend warriors,” Dr. Henry and his team care for athletes of all levels.” Some of whom I don’t see again for five years because they do so well,” he says.

PRP can be used across many age groups, from teenage athletes to those in their 70s and 80s. Dr. Henry cautions that those with blood disorders or who are living with cancer might not respond as well to treatment. 

There are several conditions in which PRP can be helpful, including:

• Shoulder issues, such as bursitis or rotator cuff problems
• Knee conditions like arthritis, meniscus injuries and patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
• Elbow pain, such as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
• Hip and hamstring injuries

Why PRP is unique compared to other treatments

“PRP is safe because it comes from your own blood, so there’s no immune response risk,” says Dr. Henry. It’s minimally invasive, involving blood draws and injections, and can be done as an outpatient procedure.

Unlike cortisone injections, there isn’t a risk of tissue breakdown with PRP. Studies show the effects of PRP injections can last up to two years — often longer than cortisone. “It’s often a way to avoid surgery,” adds Dr. Henry.

What to expect from treatment

PRP typically involves one concentrated injection or a package of three. “Evidence shows that three injections, totaling 3.5–10 billion platelets, correlate with good outcomes,” says Dr. Henry. “We sometimes stagger injections monthly to reduce inflammation while still reaching the therapeutic dose. Ultrasound guidance is critical for accuracy.”

Don’t take ibuprofen (Advil) for 3 to 5 days after PRP treatment, as it can block the inflammation needed for PRP to work effectively. You can expect recovery time to range from 2 days to 6 weeks, depending on your injury and symptoms.

Rehabilitation and return to play

PRP works best when combined with physical therapy to accelerate healing and improve outcomes. Dr. Henry recommends reducing repetitive activities, such as running, for about 6 weeks (since this is likely the movements that caused the injury).

After that, Dr. Henry recommends adding cross-training, sports-specific resistance exercises and strengthening exercises to prevent reinjury.

Why PRP isn’t always covered by insurance

PRP is still considered experimental by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition to the mixed research results, insurance often does not cover the treatment. “Different companies sell different kits, which produce different products and inconsistent outcomes,” says Dr. Henry.

Researchers at UHealth are working to standardize treatment and collect data in a national registry that would support FDA approval. “Once that approval comes, insurance coverage will expand, and the cost will decrease,” says Dr. Henry. Currently, the cost for PRP is around $700–$800.

Choosing the right provider

When choosing a provider, look for providers with sports medicine expertise.

“Vague advice like ‘listen to your body’ isn’t good enough. You need evidence-based guidance,” says Dr. Henry.

Some questions you can use to find out if that provider is a good fit include:

• What machine are you using, and what’s the platelet concentration? (It should be around 3.5 billion)
• Do you use ultrasound guidance?
• What recovery protocol do you provide?
• How do you tailor treatment to my specific injury?

The bottom line

PRP is a powerful, safe and minimally invasive therapy helping both pros and everyday athletes recover and return to play.

“It’s not a magic bullet,” says Dr. Henry, “It needs a personalized plan, sometimes multiple injections and occasionally other regenerative options.”

With the right provider and rehab plan, PRP can be the bridge between injury and recovery.

Written by Wendy Margolin.

Tags: Athletic performance recovery, Dr. Stephan Henry, Injury rehabilitation, Non-surgical treatments, Platelet therapy