Who Is a Good Candidate for PRP Therapy?

Published August 25, 2026

If you're dealing with persistent joint, tendon, or soft tissue pain, you may have heard about platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, therapy. PRP uses a concentrated portion of your own blood to deliver platelets and other substances to an injured or painful area.

But is PRP right for you?

The answer depends on a bunch of factors, including the type of injury or orthopaedic condition you have, how long you've had symptoms, the severity of the problem, and whether other treatments have helped. PRP can be a useful treatment option for some patients, but it isn't appropriate for every injury or every type of pain.

PRP for joint pain

What is PRP therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma therapy is an orthobiologic treatment that uses components of your own blood. During the procedure, a small amount of blood is drawn and processed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets. The resulting PRP is then injected into the targeted area.

Platelets are best known for helping blood clot, but they also contain proteins and growth factors involved in tissue repair and healing. The goal of a PRP injection is to concentrate these substances at an injured or painful area and support the body's natural healing response.

PRP is considered an orthobiologic treatment because it uses biological material from your own body. Orthobiologics are being studied and used for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including certain tendon injuries and forms of osteoarthritis.

PRP is not a pain medication, and it does not replace damaged cartilage or repair every type of torn tissue. Instead, it may help create an environment that supports healing and reduces symptoms in appropriately selected patients.

What types of PRP therapy are available?

Not all PRP is the same. The concentration of platelets, white blood cells, and other components can vary depending on how the patient's blood is processed.

Two of the most commonly discussed forms are Leukocyte-poor PRP and Leukocyte-rich PRP.

Leukocyte-poor PRP

Leukocyte-poor PRP, or LP-PRP, contains a relatively low concentration of white blood cells. This type of PRP has been studied extensively for knee osteoarthritis.

Some research suggests that reducing the number of white blood cells may also reduce the inflammatory response following an injection. However, studies have not established one PRP formulation as the best choice for every patient or condition.

Leukocyte-rich PRP

Leukocyte-rich PRP, or LR-PRP, contains more white blood cells in addition to concentrated platelets.

LR-PRP has been studied for certain tendon conditions, including tennis elbow and patellar tendinopathy. The additional white blood cells may influence the body's inflammatory and healing response, although the ideal formulation depends on the condition being treated.

The important point is that PRP should not be thought of as a single standardized injection. The composition can vary between preparation systems and treatment protocols. Your orthopedic specialist can determine which type may be appropriate based on your diagnosis and treatment goals.

Which orthopedic conditions may be treated with PRP?

PRP has been studied for a wide range of orthopedic conditions. The amount and quality of evidence varies significantly from one condition to another.

Some conditions for which PRP may be considered include:

The specialists at CAO offer PRP for joint and tendon pain.

Who is a good candidate for PRP therapy?

You may be a candidate for PRP if you have an orthopedic condition that has not improved enough with more traditional treatments and your doctor believes your injury may respond to a biologic treatment.

Good candidates often have one or more of the following characteristics:

You have a chronic tendon injury

PRP has been studied for several chronic tendinopathies, including tennis elbow and patellar tendinopathy. A 2025 study found that PRP may have reduced pain in patients experiencing chronic tendinopathy.

This doesn't mean every tendon injury should be treated with PRP. A proper diagnosis is important because tendon pain can have several causes, and treatment depends on the specific tendon and type of injury.

You have mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most studied uses of PRP. Research has found that PRP injections can improve pain and function for some people with knee osteoarthritis, although results vary between studies and patients.

Recent research continues to investigate which PRP preparation works best, how many injections are appropriate, and which patients are most likely to benefit.

PRP may be particularly worth discussing if you have symptomatic knee arthritis and are looking for nonsurgical treatment options.

You want to explore nonsurgical treatment options

For some patients, PRP may be an option when physical therapy, activity modification, medications, or other conservative treatments have not provided enough relief.

That does not necessarily mean PRP should be the next treatment. Your orthopedic specialist should consider your diagnosis, previous treatments, imaging, activity level, overall health, and treatment goals before recommending an injection.

You have an injury where PRP has supporting evidence

The evidence for PRP is highly condition-specific. For example, research has found more support for certain tendon problems and knee osteoarthritis than for some other orthopaedic conditions.

This is one reason a consultation with an orthopaedic specialist is important. The question is not simply, “Can PRP treat pain?” It's, “Does PRP make sense for this particular injury?”

Who may not be a good candidate for PRP?

PRP is not appropriate for everyone.

You may need a different treatment if you have a severe injury that requires surgical repair, an advanced condition where an injection is unlikely to provide meaningful benefit, or a medical issue that makes the procedure inappropriate.

PRP also should not be viewed as a replacement for proven treatments when surgery or another intervention is medically necessary.

There are also important differences between joints. A treatment that may be reasonable for knee osteoarthritis should not automatically be assumed to work for hip, shoulder, or ankle arthritis.

PRP treatment should be based on an individual diagnosis rather than a general belief that regenerative treatments work for every orthopedic problem.

How does a doctor determine if PRP is right for you?

The first step is identifying the actual source of your pain.

Your orthopedic specialist may review your medical history, ask about your symptoms and activity level, perform a physical examination, and use imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI when appropriate.

Your doctor may then consider factors such as:

  • The specific structure causing your pain

  • Whether you have arthritis, a tendon injury, a ligament injury, or another condition

  • How severe the injury is

  • How long you have had symptoms

  • What treatments you have already tried

  • Your activity and fitness goals

  • Whether surgery is necessary

  • The current evidence supporting PRP for your condition

This evaluation helps determine whether PRP is a reasonable option or whether another treatment would be more appropriate.

What can you expect during a PRP treatment?

PRP treatment typically begins with a blood draw. The blood is processed to separate and concentrate the platelets. The PRP is then injected into the affected area.

Depending on the condition being treated, your physician may use ultrasound or another form of imaging to help guide the injection to the appropriate location.

After the injection, you may experience some soreness or increased discomfort for a short period. Recovery recommendations vary depending on the area treated and the type of injury.

Some patients receive one injection, while others may be advised to have a series of treatments. There is no single PRP protocol that works for every condition.

Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy, stretching, strengthening exercises, activity modification, or other treatments as part of your overall recovery plan.

How effective is PRP therapy?

PRP can help some patients, but it is important to have realistic expectations.

Research results vary considerably depending on the condition, PRP preparation, injection technique, number of injections, and characteristics of the patient. Even among people with the same diagnosis, one person may experience significant improvement while another may see little benefit.

The best candidate for PRP is not necessarily the person with the most severe pain. It's the person whose specific diagnosis, treatment history, and goals make PRP a reasonable evidence-based option.

What are the key takeaways about PRP therapy?

  • PRP uses concentrated platelets from your own blood to support the body's natural healing response.

  • PRP is used or studied for several orthopedic conditions, including certain tendon injuries and knee osteoarthritis.

  • Leukocyte-rich and leukocyte-poor PRP are two common formulations.

  • The best type of PRP may depend on the condition being treated.

  • PRP may be considered when conservative treatments have not provided enough relief.

  • PRP is not appropriate for every orthopedic injury or condition.

  • The evidence supporting PRP varies considerably depending on the diagnosis.

  • A proper orthopedic evaluation is important before deciding whether PRP is right for you.

  • PRP is generally considered a nonsurgical treatment option, but it should not replace surgery when surgery is medically necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions About PRP Therapy

Is PRP therapy right for everyone with joint pain?
No. PRP is not appropriate for every type of joint pain. Your diagnosis, severity of the condition, previous treatments, and the evidence supporting PRP for that specific problem all need to be considered.

What is the best type of PRP?
There is no single type of PRP that is best for every orthopedic condition. PRP can differ in platelet concentration, white blood cell content, and other characteristics. Your physician can determine which preparation is most appropriate for your condition.

Is PRP good for knee arthritis?
PRP may help some people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Research has found improvements in pain and function in many studies, particularly over the short to medium term. However, PRP does not work for everyone, and it is not a cure for osteoarthritis.

Can PRP help a tendon injury?
PRP has been studied for several tendon conditions, including tennis elbow and patellar tendinopathy. Evidence varies by tendon and diagnosis, so your orthopedic specialist should determine whether PRP is appropriate for your specific injury.

Does PRP repair damaged cartilage?
PRP should not be described as a treatment that simply replaces or regrows damaged cartilage. It may help reduce symptoms and improve function in some people with osteoarthritis, but more research is needed to understand its effects on the underlying joint disease.

How many PRP injections will I need?
The number of injections varies by condition and treatment protocol. Some patients receive a single injection, while others may receive multiple injections. Your orthopedic specialist can recommend a treatment schedule based on your diagnosis and goals.

How long does it take for PRP to work?
PRP does not typically provide the immediate pain relief associated with a numbing medication or corticosteroid injection. Improvement may develop gradually as the treated tissue responds to the injection. The timeline varies depending on the condition and individual patient.

Is PRP considered a surgery?
No. PRP is an injection-based treatment and does not require surgery. It is generally considered a nonsurgical orthobiologic treatment.

Is PRP covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by insurance plan and by the specific use of PRP. Some PRP treatments may not be covered because PRP is still considered investigational for certain conditions. Ask your orthopedic practice and insurance provider about the expected cost before treatment.

How do I know if PRP is right for me?
The best way to determine whether PRP is appropriate is to have your condition evaluated by an orthopedic specialist. Your doctor can identify the source of your pain, review your treatment options, and explain whether PRP has enough evidence to make sense for your particular injury or condition.

If you are experiencing persistent orthopedic pain and want to know whether PRP may be an option, schedule an appointment with a specialist at The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics.