At a glance
A Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection is a treatment that uses a concentrated portion of your own blood to help damaged tissue heal faster. Blood is drawn from your arm, spun in a machine to separate its components, and the layer richest in platelets (the cells that carry healing proteins called growth factors) is collected and injected back into the injured area.
Once injected, those growth factors signal the surrounding cells to repair tendons, ligaments, muscles, or cartilage. The idea is to amplify a process your body already does naturally, delivering a higher concentration of healing signals exactly where they are needed.
Medical Condition
PRP injections are used in sports medicine when tendons, ligaments, joints, or muscles are slow to heal on their own, or when standard treatments such as physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory medication have not given enough relief.
- Tendinopathy (chronic tendon pain or degeneration), including tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and Achilles tendon problems
- Plantar fasciitis (heel pain caused by inflammation of the thick band of tissue under the foot)
- Partial tears of tendons or ligaments that do not require surgery
- Knee osteoarthritis (wear of the cartilage inside the knee joint) at mild to moderate stages
- Rotator cuff injuries (damage to the group of muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder)
- Hamstring, quadriceps, and calf muscle strains that are slow to recover
- Post-surgical support to speed up healing after certain orthopaedic procedures
PRP is generally not considered suitable for some situations, and your doctor will assess these before recommending it.
- Active infection at or near the injection site
- Blood cancers or clotting disorders that affect platelet function
- Use of blood thinners that cannot safely be paused
- Severe, end-stage joint disease where structural damage is too extensive
- Pregnancy, in most clinical settings
Risks & Complications
Because PRP uses your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission is very low, but the injection itself and the body's response to it can cause some side effects.
- Pain and soreness at the injection site, which is common in the first few days as the healing response starts
- Swelling and warmth around the treated area, usually settling within a week
- Bruising where the blood was drawn from the arm and at the injection point
- Temporary increase in pain before improvement, sometimes called a 'flare reaction'
- Infection at the injection site, rare but possible with any injection procedure
- Nerve or blood vessel irritation if the needle passes close to them, causing temporary numbness or tingling
- No improvement in symptoms, as PRP does not work equally well for every patient or every condition
Preparation & Procedure
Most PRP injections do not require fasting, but your care team will confirm this based on whether sedation (medication to make you relaxed or sleepy) is planned. If only a local anaesthetic (numbing agent applied directly to the skin) is used, you can usually eat and drink normally beforehand.
Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin are often paused for one to two weeks before the injection, because they can reduce the activity of the platelets that make PRP work. Blood thinners may also need to be paused under medical supervision. Smoking and alcohol are best avoided in the days before the procedure, as both can slow tissue healing.
Beforehand, the doctor may request imaging such as an ultrasound (USG) or MRI to confirm the exact location and extent of the injury. A blood count may be checked to ensure your platelet levels are adequate for the procedure.
- Step 1: A nurse draws a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm, the same way as a standard blood test.
- Step 2: The blood is placed in a centrifuge (a spinning machine) that separates it into layers. This takes around ten to fifteen minutes.
- Step 3: The doctor or technician carefully extracts the platelet-rich layer.
- Step 4: The skin over the injection site is cleaned and, in most cases, a local anaesthetic is applied to reduce discomfort.
- Step 5: Using a fine needle, sometimes guided by ultrasound imaging so the placement is precise, the doctor injects the PRP directly into the affected tendon, joint, or muscle.
- Step 6: The needle is removed, light pressure is applied, and a small dressing is placed. The whole procedure from blood draw to injection usually takes under an hour.
Aftercare
PRP is an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day. The first two to three days often bring increased soreness, which is a normal sign that the healing response has been activated.
- Rest the treated area for at least two to three days; your doctor will advise how long to avoid putting load through it.
- Apply ice wrapped in a cloth to manage swelling, but follow your care team's guidance on timing and frequency.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medications for several weeks after the injection, as they can interfere with the healing process PRP is meant to trigger.
- A structured physiotherapy programme is usually started one to two weeks after the injection to rebuild strength and movement safely.
- Return-to-sport timelines vary widely depending on the injury and how your body responds; your doctor will set milestones rather than a fixed date.
- A follow-up appointment, often at four to six weeks, lets the doctor assess the response and decide whether a repeat injection is needed. Some protocols involve two or three injections spaced weeks apart.
- Swelling, redness, or fever after returning home should be reported to your care team promptly, as these could signal an infection.
Cost & What Determines It
The cost of a PRP injection varies considerably from one hospital or clinic to the next, and from one country to another, because several factors specific to this procedure affect the final bill.
- Complexity and location of the injury: a simple tendon injection differs in difficulty from a guided injection deep inside a shoulder or knee joint.
- Use of imaging guidance: procedures performed under real-time ultrasound to improve accuracy add to the cost compared with those done without imaging.
- Number of injections in the course: some conditions are treated with a single injection, while others may need a series of two or three sessions.
- Processing method and equipment: different centrifuge systems and PRP preparation kits vary in quality and price, and some clinics use more advanced filtration to increase platelet concentration.
- Hospital or clinic class: a private sports medicine clinic in a major city charges differently from a public hospital or a lower-tier private facility.
- Country of treatment: pricing norms differ significantly between countries, and medical travel destinations in Asia often have different cost structures than Western countries.
- Specialist's fees: a sports medicine physician or orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty training in regenerative techniques may charge differently from a general practitioner.
- Associated consultations and follow-up appointments: pre-procedure assessments and post-injection physiotherapy are not always bundled into a single price.
Some hospitals offer a package price that covers the consultation, blood draw, processing, and the injection itself. Physiotherapy sessions, follow-up imaging such as a repeat USG or MRI, and any additional injection courses are usually billed separately. Always ask the hospital for a detailed, written cost breakdown before you travel.
BPJS Kesehatan does not cover PRP injections performed outside Indonesia, and most Indonesian health insurance policies also exclude treatment abroad. Patients who seek PRP treatment overseas generally pay out of pocket or through international private health insurance that explicitly covers the procedure. Requesting a written cost estimate from the hospital before travelling is the most reliable way to plan your budget and avoid unexpected charges on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PRP injection sessions will I need?
Most people need between one and three sessions, spaced several weeks apart. The exact number depends on the injury or condition being treated and how well your body responds after each injection. Your doctor will reassess after each session before deciding whether another is needed.
Does a PRP injection hurt?
There is usually a noticeable ache or pressure at the injection site during and shortly after the procedure. A local anaesthetic (numbing medicine applied to the skin or injected into the area) is often used to reduce discomfort. Some soreness and mild swelling around the treated area can linger for a few days afterward.
How soon will I feel results after PRP treatment?
Most patients begin to notice improvement somewhere between two and six weeks after their first session, though full benefit often takes longer to build. PRP works by releasing growth factors (natural healing proteins from your own blood) into the damaged tissue, and that repair process is gradual. Patience is needed, as pushing too hard before healing is complete can slow recovery.
How much does a PRP injection cost?
The cost varies depending on the number of sessions required, whether a specialist clinic or hospital setting is used, and the equipment involved in processing your blood sample. There is no single fixed price. Requesting a written estimate from the treating facility is the clearest way to understand the full cost for your specific situation.
This page is general information, not a substitute for medical advice. Every case is different. Your doctor decides what is right for you.
