PRP and biologic injections

Joint pain, tendon injuries and early arthritis can make it harder to stay active and enjoy daily life. PRP and biologic injections offer a nonsurgical option that supports your body's own healing process, helping to relieve pain and restore function. Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine specialists tailor each treatment plan to your condition, activity level and goals.

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What are PRP and biologic injections?

Biologic injections use substances drawn from your own body or other natural biological sources to support healing and tissue repair. Rather than masking pain, they work by encouraging your body's natural repair mechanisms and stimulating regeneration in damaged tissue.

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, therapy is one of the most widely used biologic treatments. Other options may include stem cell or growth factor injections, depending on your condition. Because these treatments use your body's own healing components, they're considered minimally invasive and well suited for patients looking for alternatives to surgery. The main goals are to reduce pain, improve joint and soft tissue function and slow or prevent the progression of degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. Your physician may recommend biologic injections when you're dealing with mild to moderate tissue damage that hasn't responded to other nonsurgical treatments.

Brodie McCoy discusses living with biologics in an interview.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy supports healing

Learn how platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses your body’s own healing properties to support recovery from injury, reduce pain and improve function.

Videos in our patient education library are available to help you gain a general understanding of the condition or procedure. Read disclaimer.

Common reasons for PRP and biologic injections

You may be a candidate for PRP or biologic injections if you're living with joint pain or a soft tissue injury that hasn't improved with other non-surgical treatments. Common reasons include:

Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip or shoulder
Tendon injuries such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis and partial rotator cuff tears
Ligament sprains and partial tears
Muscle strains and chronic inflammation
Support for healing after a previous surgery

These treatments are generally not recommended for patients with advanced joint destruction or severe arthritis, where cartilage and joint space are significantly reduced. Your physician will review your condition and health history to determine if biologic injections are right for you.

Treatment options

PRP and biologic injections are a nonsurgical approach, offered as an alternative to surgery or alongside other conservative treatments. Options include:

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy: A concentrated portion of your own blood, rich in platelets, is injected into the injured or degenerative area. Platelets release growth factors that support repair in tendons, ligaments, muscles and cartilage
Stem cell injections: Cells collected from sources such as bone marrow or fat tissue may be used to support tissue regeneration, depending on your condition
Growth factor injections: These injections use concentrated healing proteins to help reduce inflammation and encourage tissue repair

Each treatment is typically performed in an outpatient setting and guided by ultrasound for accuracy. Your care team will help determine which option, or combination of options, best fits your condition and goals.

Recovery and rehabilitation

Recovery after PRP or biologic injections is generally gradual, allowing your body time to heal naturally.

Rest the treated area for one to two days following your injection
Anti-inflammatory medications and strenuous activity are often limited at first to support your body's natural healing response
Many patients return to normal daily activities within a few days
Physical therapy may be recommended to help restore strength, improve range of motion and support long-term joint health
Results tend to develop gradually over several weeks, and some patients benefit from a series of injections for optimal improvement

Your physician will guide you through what to expect based on your specific treatment and recovery goals.

Risks and considerations

PRP and biologic injections are considered safe and minimally invasive since they use components from your own body. As with any medical procedure, there are some considerations to keep in mind, such as temporary soreness, swelling or discomfort at the injection site. These treatments aren't recommended for everyone, including patients with advanced joint destruction or severe arthritis. Your care team will walk you through the details of your treatment, answer your questions and help you understand what to expect before moving forward.

Conditions we treat

Our expert team delivers expert care for a wide range of sports and activity-related injuries and conditions.

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Why treatment is important

Living with untreated joint pain or tendon injuries can limit your mobility and get in the way of the activities you enjoy. Addressing these issues with the right treatment plan can help improve comfort, function and overall quality of life. Novant Health specialists are here to help you find a path toward feeling better and moving more freely.