PRP Injection FAQ in Jefferson, OH | Davis Family Chiropractic

PRP Injection FAQ

If you are researching PRP injections, you probably have a lot of questions. That is completely normal.

Most patients want to know what PRP is, whether they might be a candidate, what kinds of conditions may be considered, and how the scheduling process works. This page is here to give you straightforward answers so you can better understand the next step. PRP is generally described as a treatment made from a patient’s own blood, processed so the platelet-rich portion can be concentrated and used in musculoskeletal care.

Frequently Asked Questions About PRP

What is PRP?

PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. It is prepared from a sample of your own blood. That blood is processed so the platelet-rich portion can be concentrated and used as part of a doctor-directed treatment plan. Cleveland Clinic describes PRP as a biologic treatment derived from your own blood, and The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) describes it as a preparation in which platelets are separated and concentrated for treatment use.

How is PRP made?

The basic process is simple. A sample of your blood is drawn, then processed so the platelet-rich part of the plasma can be separated and concentrated. That concentrated PRP is then used during the treatment recommended by the doctor. Cleveland Clinic describes this as a blood draw followed by centrifuge-based processing to separate and concentrate the platelets.

Is PRP made from my own blood?

Yes. PRP is made using your own blood, not donor blood. That is one of the reasons patients are often interested in learning more about it. Cleveland Clinic specifically describes PRP as being prepared from the patient’s own blood.

Can I directly schedule a PRP injection?

No. PRP injections are not direct-book appointments.

Patients must first be evaluated by the doctor, and PRP must be recommended before the office can schedule an injection appointment.

This is one of the most important things to understand about our regenerative medicine services. PRP is a doctor-guided treatment decision, not a self-selected appointment type.

I’m a new patient and I’m interested in PRP. What should I do?

Schedule a New Patient Exam/Consultation.

That visit gives the doctor the opportunity to review your symptoms, history, and condition and determine whether PRP may be appropriate. If PRP is recommended, the office can then guide you through the next step.

I’m already a patient. Can I ask about PRP?

Yes. If you are already a patient, talk with the doctor during your visit about whether PRP may be appropriate for your condition.

If the doctor recommends it, the office staff can then schedule the injection appointment.

What kinds of conditions may be evaluated for PRP?

PRP may be discussed for certain joint, tendon, ligament, meniscus, labral, and soft tissue conditions. In orthopedics, AAOS notes PRP has been used for some chronic tendon problems and mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, while also emphasizing that results vary by condition and the research is still developing.

At our office, that conversation may include conditions such as:

• degenerative joint disease,
• hip osteoarthritis,
• knee osteoarthritis,
• ankle osteoarthritis,
• shoulder osteoarthritis,
• elbow osteoarthritis,
• wrist osteoarthritis,
• chronic tendonitis,
• partial-thickness tears,
• rotator cuff problems,
• biceps tendon problems,
• golfer’s elbow,
• tennis elbow,
• gluteus medius irritation,
• hamstring-related tendon problems,
• piriformis syndrome,
• patellar tendonitis,
• quadriceps tendonitis,
• peroneal tendon issues,
• tibialis posterior tendon issues,
• Achilles tendon problems,
• plantar fasciitis,
• ulnar collateral ligament injury,
• medial collateral ligament injury,
• meniscus injury,
• and labral tears.

Not every condition listed here automatically qualifies for PRP.

Does PRP work for every condition?

No. PRP is not a one-size-fits-all treatment.

AAOS notes that evidence is stronger for some applications than others, with better support in certain chronic tendon problems and mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis than in many other orthopedic uses. Cleveland Clinic also notes that PRP may help in some injuries and diseases that have been slow or resistant to healing, but that does not mean every patient or every diagnosis will respond the same way.

That is why candidacy needs to be determined by the doctor.

How do I know if I’m a candidate?

The best way to know is through a proper evaluation.

The doctor may consider:

• your diagnosis,
• how long the problem has been going on,
• exam findings,
• prior treatment history,
• severity of symptoms,
• activity limitations,
• and whether PRP makes sense compared to other treatment options.

A page like this can help you understand the process, but it cannot replace an actual clinical evaluation.

Is PRP only for joints?

No. PRP is often discussed for more than just joints.

AAOS and Cleveland Clinic both describe PRP in musculoskeletal care for a range of orthopedic issues, including tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint-related problems.

That said, not every soft tissue problem is a PRP case, and not every joint problem should be treated the same way.

What happens before a PRP injection is scheduled?

First, you are evaluated by the doctor. Then the doctor determines whether PRP may be appropriate. Only after that recommendation is made can the office schedule the injection appointment.

That sequence is intentional. It helps make sure treatment decisions are based on the actual condition, not just on what a patient has read online.

Does the injection happen the same day as the first visit?

Not necessarily.

The first step is evaluation and doctor recommendation. In many cases, that evaluation visit is separate from the actual injection appointment. The office can guide patients through scheduling once the doctor has determined the next step.

Will PRP hurt?

Patients often have questions about discomfort, both during and after treatment. Cleveland Clinic notes that PRP injections generally have few risks but that the injection itself may cause more discomfort than some patients expect.

A better way to frame it is this: some soreness or discomfort may be part of the experience, and the doctor can help explain what may be expected for your specific situation.

Is there downtime after PRP?

Recovery can vary depending on the area being treated, the condition itself, and the individual patient.

Some patients may have soreness or temporary irritation afterward. Specific aftercare instructions should come directly from the doctor based on the treatment area and the plan for your case.

How many PRP injections will I need?

That depends on the condition being treated and the doctor’s recommendation.

There is no one universal answer that fits every diagnosis. Some cases may involve a single treatment discussion, while others may require a more individualized plan.

This is another reason the evaluation process matters.

Are there risks with PRP?

Cleveland Clinic says PRP injections have relatively few risks because the material comes from your own blood, though they note there is still a small risk of contamination if preparation is not done properly and that the injection can cause discomfort.

The doctor can review the risks, benefits, and whether PRP makes sense for your specific case before anything is scheduled.

Is PRP the same thing as stem cell therapy?

No. PRP and stem cell-based treatments are different categories.

PRP is made from your blood and uses concentrated platelets. Stem cell-based regenerative medicine is a separate area entirely. AAOS describes stem cell use in orthopedics as a developing field, and the FDA has warned that regenerative medicine therapies are often marketed too broadly for orthopedic problems such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, knee pain, shoulder pain, and similar conditions.

Is PRP a replacement for every other treatment?

No.

Sometimes PRP may be worth discussing. In other cases, the better recommendation may still be chiropractic care, rehab-based treatment, exercise guidance, soft tissue treatment, or another conservative approach.

The goal is not to make every patient fit one treatment. The goal is to recommend what makes the most sense for the person sitting in front of the doctor.

What should I do next if I’m interested in PRP?

Start with the correct first step.

New patients: Schedule a New Patient Exam/Consultation
Current patients: Ask the doctor during your visit whether PRP may be appropriate for your condition

If PRP is recommended, the office can then schedule the injection appointment.