PRP Therapy in Columbia, MD: Who May Be a Candidate and What to Expect

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy uses a concentrated sample of your own platelets, injected under physician guidance into a target joint or soft tissue area to support your body's healing response. At Zest Regen Health in Columbia, Maryland, PRP is offered only after a medical evaluation confirms it may be appropriate for your condition. Because the evidence for PRP is mixed, candidacy is decided on an individual basis and expectations are set honestly.

What PRP therapy is

Platelets are small cells in your blood that carry proteins and growth factors involved in your body's healing response. PRP therapy draws a small sample of your own blood, concentrates the platelets in a centrifuge, and injects the preparation into the target joint or soft tissue area. What is injected is your own material, just in higher concentration.

What the evidence currently shows

The largest placebo-controlled trial of PRP for knee osteoarthritis, the RESTORE trial published in JAMA in 2021, found no significant benefit over a sham injection for pain or cartilage volume at 12 months. A 2025 meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials found pain improvement at 3 and 6 months that was not consistently sustained at 12 months. The American College of Rheumatology and OARSI recommend against routine PRP for knee osteoarthritis, while a 2026 AAPM&R guidance statement says PRP may be considered for mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis that remains symptomatic despite conservative care. In short: PRP is not a guaranteed repair, and whether it helps depends on the condition, the tissue, and the individual.

Who may be a candidate

• People with persistent joint or tendon pain that has not improved with conservative care
• People with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis in an appropriate joint
• People with soft tissue concerns such as tendon issues
• People who understand that PRP is not a guaranteed repair and are willing to set realistic expectations

Who may not be a candidate

PRP is not appropriate for everyone. Contraindications can include active infection at the injection site, certain bleeding or platelet disorders, and some medication regimens. Whether you are a candidate is determined during the medical evaluation, not by a checklist on a website.

What happens at the Columbia clinic

1. Evaluation first: your history, imaging, and the specific joint or tendon are reviewed.
2. A small blood sample is drawn, similar to a routine blood test.
3. The sample is processed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets.
4. The prepared PRP is injected into the target area under physician guidance.
5. You receive follow-up guidance on activity, recovery, and whether additional sessions may be appropriate.

What to expect after treatment

Injection-site soreness is common in the days after treatment. Some people notice gradual change over weeks, while others see little difference, and multiple sessions are often required. The care team will outline what to expect for your specific situation and how to track progress.

See how PRP therapy is evaluated at the Columbia clinic (/services/prp-therapy/).

Read the basics: what is PRP therapy and how does it work (/blog/what-is-prp-therapy/).

Is PRP right for knee osteoarthritis? What the evidence says (/blog/is-prp-right-for-knee-osteoarthritis/).

Meet the physicians who evaluate PRP candidates (/dr-francisco-ward/).

Next step

If you are wondering whether PRP could align with your goals, the first step is a conversation. Book a free 15-minute consultation at the Columbia clinic to discuss your joint or tendon concern and what the evaluation would involve.