How many PRP shots will I need?

It's the question we get more than any other, usually right after "does it hurt?" It depends on what you're treating, and you'll know the plan before you start.

One for some, a series for most

A mild tendon problem can turn around after a single PRP injection. Chronic joint pain, or soft tissue that's been damaged for a long time, usually does better with a series of two or three.

Before we recommend anything, we look at where the pain is, how much tissue damage there is, your overall health and what you want to get back to doing.

Why we wait four to six weeks between visits

PRP doesn't numb the pain. It delivers a concentrated dose of your own growth factors to the damaged tissue, and those keep working for weeks. Spacing injections roughly four to six weeks apart gives your body time to respond, and gives us time to see how much you've improved before deciding on the next one.

What it's like on the day

• We draw about four tablespoons of blood from your arm.
• It spins in a centrifuge for about 15 minutes to separate the platelets.
• The injection itself takes around 20 minutes.

When you'll feel it

Relief tends to build gradually. Some people notice a change within a few weeks. Others keep improving for several months. Finishing the full series, and pairing it with the right movement and rehab, is what makes results last.

Educational content, not medical advice. Individual results vary. Adapted from the Restore Health blog.