PRP Therapy: Using Your Own Blood to Accelerate Healing

Category: General
Posted On: Mar 10, 2026

Platelet-Rish Plasma (PRP) is a cutting-edge form of biologic treatment used for a variety of orthopedic conditions. Unlike traditional medicine, biologic treatment utilizes the body’s own natural healing potential. It is frequently used by professional athletes such as Aaron Rodgers (NFL), Stephen Curry (NBA), and Maria Sakkari (WTA), to recover from both chronic and acute injuries, often as an alternative or adjunct to surgery.

How PRP Works:The Science of Healing

Platelets are well-known for their role in blood clotting, but they also contain powerful substances called growth factors. These growth factors act as a biological “signal,” recruiting healing cells to the site of an injury to repair damaged tissue.

The Concentration Process: A small sample of the patient’s own blood is taken and placed in a centrifuge. This machine spins the blood to separate the plasma layer, creating a concentration of platelets up to 10 times richer than normal whole blood.
Precision Injections: This “Platelet-Rich” plasma is then injected directly into the injury site. At Fox Valley Orthopedics, we often use ultrasound guidance to ensure the PRP is delivered with pinpoint accuracy.

The Recovery Process: What to Expect

Because PRP triggers a natural healing response, the recovery looks a bit different than standard treatments:

Initial Inflammation: You may feel a temporary increase in pain immediately after the injection. This is a good sign and means the PRP is causing the necessary inflammation required to jumpstart the repair process.
Medication Restrictions: It is vital to avoid anti-inflammatory medications like Advil or Aleve during this time. These drugs can inhibit platelet function and interfere with your recovery.
Rest and Rehab: Initial treatment includes rest, ice, and sometimes compression. After a few weeks, physical therapy is initiated to help the new tissue gain strength, with full healing typically occurring over six to twelve weeks.

Is PRP Right for You?

Because PRP uses your own blood, the risks are minimal. While research is ongoing for some conditions, it is widely accepted and highly effective for:

Chronic Tendon Injuries: Including Tennis Elbow, Achilles Tendonitis, and Patellar Tendonitis.
Bursitis: Specifically, Olecranon (elbow) and Pre-patellar (kneecap) Bursitis.
Surgical Adjunct: Helping to speed up recovery following certain orthopedic procedures.

Harnessing your own healing potential is the first step toward a life with less pain and better mobility.