Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses a concentrated preparation of a patient’s own blood platelets to support healing in injured or degenerative tissue. It has become an increasingly popular option for persistent shoulder pain, knee pain, and tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) — particularly for patients who haven’t found lasting relief from physiotherapy or standard injections alone.
Dr. Kavita Poply offers PRP therapy using precise, ultrasound-guided injection techniques, ensuring the treatment is delivered accurately to the specific injured tissue for the best possible outcome.
What is PRP Therapy?
PRP is prepared by drawing a small sample of the patient’s own blood and processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which contain growth factors involved in the body’s natural healing response. This concentrated platelet solution is then injected directly into the injured or degenerative area — such as a damaged tendon or an arthritic joint — with the aim of stimulating the body’s own repair processes at the site of injury.
Because PRP uses the patient’s own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is minimal, which is one of the reasons it has become a widely used option in sports medicine and orthopaedic pain management.
Conditions Treated
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy and chronic shoulder pain
- Knee osteoarthritis and patellar tendinopathy
- Chronic tendon injuries that haven’t responded to standard treatment
- Mild to moderate joint degeneration in select cases
Symptoms That May Require This Treatment
- Persistent elbow pain, particularly with gripping or lifting (tennis elbow)
- Shoulder pain limiting overhead movement or sleep
- Knee pain and stiffness affecting walking, stairs, or exercise
- Pain that has not significantly improved after physiotherapy or standard anti-inflammatory treatment
- Tendon-related pain that flares with specific activities or sports
How the Procedure Works
The process begins with a small blood sample taken from the patient, similar to a routine blood test. This is processed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich portion of the plasma. Using ultrasound guidance to precisely visualise the injured tendon or joint structure, the concentrated PRP is then injected directly into the target area, ensuring accurate placement for the best chance of a therapeutic response.
Our Approach to Treatment
Comprehensive Assessment
A detailed clinical evaluation, often supported by ultrasound imaging, to confirm the diagnosis and identify the precise area of tendon or joint damage suitable for PRP treatment.
Personalised Treatment Plan
The number of sessions and injection technique are tailored to the specific condition, its severity, and how the patient has responded to previous treatments.
Procedure Overview
- Simple blood draw followed by centrifuge processing, typically taking around 15–20 minutes in total
- Ultrasound-guided injection for precise, accurate placement
- Usually performed as a single outpatient visit
- Mild soreness at the injection site for a few days is common
- Often given as a short course (commonly 1–3 sessions), spaced several weeks apart
- Patients are usually advised to avoid strenuous use of the treated area for a short period afterward
Benefits of PRP Therapy
- Uses the body’s own healing components, minimising rejection or allergy risk
- Minimally invasive, outpatient procedure with limited downtime
- Can be effective for chronic tendon problems that haven’t responded to other treatments
- Ultrasound guidance ensures precise, targeted delivery
- May help reduce reliance on longer-term anti-inflammatory medication
Why Choose Expert Care?
Accurate diagnosis and precise, image-guided injection technique are essential to getting the best results from PRP therapy — simply injecting near the affected area without proper guidance significantly reduces its effectiveness. With a patient-centred approach, Dr. Kavita Poply ensures PRP therapy is delivered accurately and is combined with appropriate rehabilitation advice for the best long-term outcome.
Book Your Consultation
If shoulder, knee, or elbow pain has persisted despite other treatments, PRP therapy may offer a regenerative option worth exploring. Book your consultation today to discuss whether it’s suitable for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1How many PRP sessions will I need?
Ans. This depends on the condition and its severity, but many patients are treated with a short course of one to three sessions, spaced several weeks apart, with response assessed between treatments.
Q.2 Is PRP therapy painful?
Ans. The blood draw is similar to a routine blood test, and the injection itself may cause some discomfort or soreness, similar to other joint or tendon injections, which typically settles within a few days.
Q.3 How long does it take to see results from PRP?
Ans. Because PRP works by stimulating the body’s natural healing response rather than providing instant pain relief, most patients notice gradual improvement over several weeks rather than immediately after treatment.
Q.4 Is PRP suitable for everyone with tendon or joint pain?
Ans. Not always — suitability depends on the specific diagnosis, severity of the condition, and overall health, which is why a thorough assessment is carried out before recommending PRP therapy.