Platelet-rich plasma, commonly known as PRP, is a regenerative treatment designed to support the body’s natural healing process. At Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine, PRP is used as a non-surgical option to treat arthritis and tendinitis by addressing the underlying causes of pain—not just masking symptoms.
How the Body Normally Heals
When you experience an injury, your body initiates healing by sending platelets to the injured area. These platelets release growth factors, which stimulate local stem cells and coordinate with other cells to repair damaged tissue. This process works well in areas with good blood supply.
However, tissues such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons have limited blood flow. When these tissues are chronically injured or degenerated, they often struggle to heal fully on their own.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
PRP is created by taking a small sample of your own blood and concentrating it to isolate a high level of platelets. This platelet-rich solution is then injected directly into the damaged tissue—whether that is a joint, tendon, ligament, or surrounding soft tissue structure.
The goal is to place the body’s natural healing components directly into areas that need support, restarting the normal healing process in tissue that has failed to recover on its own.
PRP Treats the Root Cause of Pain
PRP is not simply a pain-relieving treatment. It is designed to address the root causes of arthritis and tendinitis, which are typically chronic inflammation and instability.
In osteoarthritis, low-level inflammation within the joint can persist over time, contributing to pain and ongoing tissue damage. PRP can help reduce this inflammation, easing pain while also slowing further joint degeneration. In this way, PRP may function as a disease-modifying treatment for osteoarthritis.
Improving Stability by Treating Supporting Structures
When treating arthritis, PRP is often used not only within the joint but also in the surrounding ligaments and tendons when appropriate. These soft tissue structures play a key role in joint stability.
Chronic instability—often caused by stretched or strained ligaments—can place abnormal stress on a joint. Over time, this instability contributes to cartilage damage and worsening arthritis. By strengthening ligaments and tendons, PRP can help restore stability, reduce joint stress, and improve overall function.
A Non-Surgical, Autologous Treatment Option
PRP works by reducing inflammation and improving stability using cells derived from your own body. This approach allows for joint and tendon support without surgery, making it a lower-risk option for many patients with arthritis or tendinitis.
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