PRP and autologous blood injections

Tendons are the fibrous connective tissue that connects your muscles to your bones.

Tendinopathy can cause symptoms such as pain, stiffness and weakness in the affected areas.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Injections and autologous blood Injections are used to treat damaged tendons, where a patient's blood is taken and re-injected into the affected area. Our blood contains platelets, which contain growth factors. These growth factors boost the healing process of the tendons, as they are injected straight to the damaged area.

nSTRIDE APS autologous (from your own body) therapy is used to treat joint pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. This therapy has been shown to protect cartilage cells in laboratory testing and slow the progression of osteoarthritis. This reduces pain encouraging improved joint function.

Your consultant will identify the damaged tendon that requires treatment using an ultrasound scan. A small amount of blood will be taken from your arm, following the same process taken for a blood test. The blood taken will then be injected into the damaged tendon.

The procedure should take less than an hour to perform. However, the injection is to aid long-term healing and recovery. Recovery time is dependent on the amount of initial tendon damage. Your consultant will advise you further.

What risks should I know about before having PRP or autologous blood injections?

Due to the nature of the injection and the use of needles, you may experience some pain and stiffness in the treated muscle area. There may be some bruising.