• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Topics
    • Joint Pain
    • Longevity
    • Metabolic Health
    • Sports Medicine
    • Training
    • Top Articles
      • Zone 2 Training
      • Shoulder Pain Lifting Arm
      • Knee Injury Serious?
      • Medial Meniscus Tears
      • Front Of Knee Pain
      • Shoulder Snaps & Pops
    • All Articles
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation
Orthobiologics

What is PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma

Avatar photo

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated Sep 17, 2021 Read time: 3 mins

Knee Arthritis - PRP - Westchester NY Many patient are battling severe pain due to arthritis or tendonitis, such as tennis elbow.   When non surgical treatments such as physical therapy, medications, moist heat and exercises do not minimize your pain — AND — you pain is significantly affecting your quality of life then many patients consider surgery.   Patients with arthritis may choose to have a knee or hip replacement, and many people may choose to have surgery for their tennis elbow or rotator cuff pain.   Until recently we had few if any other options to offer patients in lieu of surgery.

PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma

Pain can be debilitating.  Severe long-standing pain will typically lead patients to consider surgery.    In a last-ditch effort to avoid surgery, many patient have tried an increasingly popular procedure – PRP or platelet-rich plasma therapy.   PRP, or platelet rich plasma injections,  which involve the injections of your own concentrated platelets, protein-releasing bodies, and other healing growth factors can aid the body in resolving certain inflammatory conditions and can heal worn out tissues, like suffers of tennis elbow have.

The wikipedia definition of PRP is:  Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets. As a concentrated source of autologous platelets, PRP contains (and releases through degranulation) several different growth factors and other cytokines that stimulate healing of bone and soft tissue.

PRP or platelet rich plasma therapy has been somewhat controversial, but in many studies  has been shown to benefit a significant number of people suffering from tennis elbow, rotator cuff disease and osteoarthritis.  Here are  links here for  PRP articles for treatment of Tennis Elbow .

PRP injections for arthritis, tennis elbow and other ligament disorders is an office injection or procedure.  To initiate the PRP procedure we start by drawing blood sample from your arm. We then place that sample of blood into a centrifuge and after the blood has spun in the centrifuge for a while certain layers will appear. One of those layers contains the PRP, or platelet rich plasma.  PRP, or platelet rich plasma is a portion of your blood that contains cells called platelets and a concentrated liquid, which contains a number of chemicals or growth factors that our body uses to regenerate itself. Contained within the platelets themselves is a very high concentration of these very same chemicals or growth factors. The idea behind PRP or platelet rich plasma injections, is that by placing these injections at the site of arthritis, tendon degeneration, or ligament tears, we can get your body to attempt to regenerate itself. This is vastly different than the cortisone injections, which simply mask inflammation and have no healing capabilities.  PRP, if successful, generally results in long-lasting relief – – – because the degenerative tissue, which was wearing out— has started to regenerate or regrow itself.

Once your blood is removed from the centrifuge, and the PRP layer is removed, it is injected into the area where you arthritis, tendon wear or ligament tear is.

Keep in mind this is a very active area of research within the orthopedic community.  Not all PRP is created equal, there are different preparation techniques, they’re a different delivery techniques, and we are still perfecting the best method to be utilized to treat your tennis elbow. That being said, the results for PRP injections for tennis elbow – – – have been quite promising.

[hr]

Do you have questions regarding an Orthopedic injury or longevity? 

Do you want to talk to an expert who can listen to you for 45-60 minutes and explain the options in detail? 

Dr. Howard Luks offers remote guidance sessions to review your X-ray or MRI images and explain your options. 

Dr. Luks has also received hundreds of requests for educational sessions on the topics discussed in his book, Longevity Simplified.

Schedule Remote Session

Let’s explore if PRP a Treatment Option for your condition?

[hr]

Media and Scientific Reasearch For PRP or Platelet Rich Plamsa

  • PRP for Tennis Elbow: Article from the Mayo Clinic
  • PRP for Knee Osteoarthritis
  • PRP for Osteoarthritis 
  • PRP for Ankle Arthritis
  • PRP for Achilles Tendinitis... Not all cases are successful
  • NY Times Article on PRP related treatments

Categories: Orthobiologics, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Sports Medicine Tags: achilles tendonitis, arthritis, elbow injections, elbow tendonitis, jumpers knee, ligament strain, MCL, MCL injury, MCL Recovery, Platelet rich plasma, PRP, tennis elbow

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Like what you're reading?

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Further Reading:

New Research on PRP Injection for Sports Injuries and Osteoarthritis
PRP injection recovery and indications
PRP Injection Recovery Time
Tennis Elbow- PRP - Westchester, NY
Tennis Elbow
tennis elbow treatment
6 Common Reasons For Pain In The Elbow

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. peggy

    Oct 12, 2019 at 2:05 pm

    I had PRP on hamstring and requested to use crutches. why do some dr. say use crutches and others not. It is difficult for me to use crutches– I can halt exercise for a mo (they say 6 wk) but crutches are driving me crazy. thank you..peggy

    • Avatar photoHoward J. Luks, MD

      Oct 13, 2019 at 6:46 am

      I’m not quite sure… I only use crutches to decrease pain. You should ask the doctor who performed the injection what their rationale for crutches is.
      Good luck

  2. kesha

    May 18, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    tennis elbow severe pain i wear a arm band its no longer helpingi have had several cortisone injections i can hardly lift my arm

    • Avatar photoHoward J. Luks, MD

      May 19, 2015 at 9:48 am

      Have you tried a Flexbar ?

  3. paul sanabria

    Mar 29, 2015 at 9:50 am

    what type of physical therapy is required after a prp shot on the elbow ?

    • Avatar photoHoward J. Luks, MD

      Mar 30, 2015 at 9:35 am

      A FlexBar

  4. jayne

    Feb 26, 2015 at 7:24 am

    I have had a courtisone injection yesterday (left elbow) and although it is early days, can I ask if my pain does not settle, what are the chances of going on and having a PRP injection ( I live in the UK). I am slightly nervous now having read your website that I have not done the right thing. I had an injection into my right elbow and that cured the pain. However I am left handed and use my left hand considerably more. Thank you

Primary Sidebar

Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Top Articles

The importance of VO2 Max

VO2 Max. It’s not just about your mitochondria

Walking is exercise

Walking IS Exercise: Why All Movement Matters

Zone 2 heart rate training

Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance

Do I have a serious knee injury

Is My Knee Injury Serious? 5 Signs to Look For.

Newsletter

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Read the Book

An easy-to-read guide that tosses out the myths and clears up the truth behind living longer. As you read this book, you will:

  • Understand the science behind the recommendations for living a longer and healthier life.
  • Understand that all our bodies’ systems are interconnected and rely on one another.
  • Connect the dots to poor metabolic health and take steps to reverse this path.
  • Recognize that fear doesn't need to be your reality.
  • Recognizing that most people view “exercise” as unpleasant work.
  • Stop going down “rabbit holes” of false information.
  • Realize you don't have to change as much as you think.
Find Out More
Read Reviews
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

Available at:

Bookshop
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Trending Now

  1. Reframe why exercise is important. Not to lose, but to gin.
    Muscle and Strength
    We Exercise To Gain, Not To Lose.
  2. The importance of VO2 Max
    Featured
    VO2 Max. It's not just about your mitochondria
  3. What's Next... Substack
    Sports Medicine
    What's Next... Substack
  4. Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.
    Sports Medicine
    Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

(914)-559-1900
[email protected]
Book Private Consultation

Topics

  • Joint Pain
  • Longevity
  • Metabolic Health
  • Sports Medicine
  • Running
  • Training

Browse All Articles

Joint Pain

  • Ankle
  • Elbow
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Shoulder

More Orthopedic Education

  • Topics
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation

© 2025 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.