PRP Injection for Tendinitis and Tendinopathy
Tendon pain -- whether it is a persistent ache in the Achilles, a stubborn discomfort at the front of the knee, or a nagging pain in the elbow -- can be remarkably difficult to resolve through rest and conventional treatment alone. Tendons have a limited blood supply compared to other tissues, and this means that healing can be slow and incomplete, particularly in chronic cases.
At Ortho Remedy Clinic, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection therapy is offered as part of a specialist approach to managing tendinitis and tendinopathy. By delivering a concentrated preparation of the patient's own growth factors directly into the affected tendon, PRP therapy aims to stimulate genuine tissue repair -- rather than simply masking symptoms. PRP therapy information page provides a comprehensive overview of how PRP works and the full range of conditions for which it is available at our Manchester and Glasgow clinics.
Understanding Tendinitis and Tendinopathy
The terms tendinitis and tendinopathy are often used interchangeably, but they describe slightly different processes. Tendinitis refers to acute inflammation of a tendon, typically following an injury or a sudden increase in activity. Tendinopathy is a broader term that describes chronic tendon dysfunction — a condition in which the tendon structure itself becomes disorganised and fails to heal normally, often in the absence of significant acute inflammation.
In practice, many patients presenting to our clinics have a combination of both: an acute episode that was not fully resolved, leading over time to chronic tendinopathy. This is why treatments that target the underlying biological repair process — rather than simply reducing inflammation — can be more effective in the long run.
Tendon Conditions Treated with PRP at Our Manchester
and Glasgow Clinics
PRP injection therapy is used at Ortho Remedy Clinic for a range of tendon conditions, including:
Achilles tendinopathy
Both the insertional variant (where the tendon attaches to the heel bone) and mid-portion tendinopathy (typically 2 to 6 cm above the insertion)
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)
A common cause of anterior knee pain in athletes involved in running and jumping sports
Rotator cuff tendinopathy
Including supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon degeneration causing shoulder pain and weakness
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Persistent pain over the outer elbow from extensor tendon dysfunction
Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow)
Pain over the inner elbow from flexor-pronator tendon problems
Gluteal tendinopathy
A common but frequently underdiagnosed cause of lateral hip and buttock pain, particularly in middle-aged and older women
Tibialis posterior tendinopathy
Causing pain along the inner ankle and contributing to acquired flat foot
Quadriceps tendinopathy
Affecting the tendon just above the kneecap
Many of these tendon conditions arise in the context of sports injuries or as occupational overuse problems. Our consultants will carry out a thorough assessment to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether PRP injection therapy is the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition.
How PRP Works for Tendon Conditions
Tendons have a relatively poor blood supply, and this limits their natural ability to repair after injury or degeneration. PRP therapy addresses this directly by delivering a concentrated solution of platelets — and the growth factors they contain — directly into the tendon under imaging guidance.
The growth factors in PRP — including PDGF, TGF-beta, IGF-1, and VEGF — have several effects on tendon tissue:
- Stimulating tenocyte (tendon cell) proliferation and collagen synthesis
- Promoting the formation of new blood vessels, which improves the local tissue environment
- Modulating the inflammatory response, reducing chronic low-grade inflammation
- Supporting the remodelling of disorganised tendon tissue into healthier, more aligned collagen
The result, for many patients, is a gradual but sustained improvement in tendon pain and function that can outlast what corticosteroid injections alone achieve — and without the well-documented risks associated with repeated steroid injection into tendons.
Is PRP Right for My Tendon Problem?
PRP injection therapy is most suitable for patients who:
- Have a confirmed tendinopathy or tendinitis diagnosis, ideally supported by imaging (ultrasound or MRI)
- Have tried conventional treatment -- rest, physiotherapy, activity modification -- for at least six to eight weeks without achieving satisfactory improvement
- Are not suitable candidates for, or wish to avoid, repeated corticosteroid injections
- Are generally healthy with no active infection, blood clotting disorder, or active cancer
PRP is less effective in very early, acutely inflamed tendons where conventional management has not yet been given sufficient time, and in very advanced cases where there is complete tendon rupture — which may require surgical repair.
For patients with tendon problems arising alongside joint degeneration — for example, Achilles tendinopathy with early ankle arthritis, or patellar tendinopathy with knee osteoarthritis — our consultants can co-ordinate treatment across both conditions. Patients with knee tendon problems may find our knee pain specialist Manchester page helpful for broader context.
The PRP Injection Process for Tendinitis
The procedure at our Manchester or Glasgow clinic follows a structured process:
Consultation
Your tendon problem is thoroughly assessed, your diagnosis confirmed, and your suitability for PRP treatment discussed.
Blood draw
A small sample of blood (typically 15 to 30 ml) is drawn from your arm.
Centrifugation
The blood sample is placed in a specialised centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets.
Injection
The PRP is injected into the tendon under ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate placement. The procedure takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes in total.
Aftercare
Specific instructions are provided, including activity modifications for the first 48 to 72 hours and a recommended approach to rehabilitation.
Follow-up
A review appointment is arranged to assess your response and determine whether further injections are needed.
Most patients experience some temporary soreness in the tendon for 24 to 72 hours after the injection. This is a normal part of the biological response and typically settles without the need for any intervention. Most patients are able to drive home after the procedure.
What Results Can Be Expected from PRP for Tendinitis?
Clinical evidence for PRP in tendon conditions has grown considerably in recent years. Randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews have consistently demonstrated:
- Significant reductions in pain and improvement in tendon function across a range of tendinopathies
- Sustained benefit for periods of 6 to 18 months in many patients
- Superiority to placebo and, in some studies, to corticosteroid injection for chronic tendinopathy
- A favourable safety profile, given that PRP is derived from the patient's own blood
Results vary between individuals, and PRP does not provide the immediate, dramatic pain relief that a corticosteroid injection might offer. Most patients notice gradual improvement over four to eight weeks, with maximum benefit typically experienced around three months after treatment. Our consultants will give you an honest assessment of what is realistic for your specific condition.
Book a PRP Tendinitis Consultation in Manchester or Glasgow
If you are living with a persistent tendon problem that has not responded to conventional management, PRP therapy may offer a meaningful step forward. Ortho Remedy Clinic offers PRP injection treatment at both our Manchester and Glasgow clinics, following a thorough specialist assessment to confirm your diagnosis and suitability. You can book an appointment online , or contact our team directly.
Patients with sports-related tendon injuries are also welcome to contact our sports injury clinic in Manchester or our sports injury clinic in Glasgow for an integrated approach to injury assessment and treatment.
Working Hours
- MONDAY 9AM – 6PM
- TUESDAY 9AM – 6PM
- WEDNESDAY 9AM – 6PM
- THURSDAY 9AM – 6PM
- FRIDAY 9AM – 6PM
- SATURDAY 9AM – 4PM
Newsletter
MANCHESTER CLINIC
High Lane Medical Centre, Buxton Road, Stockport, SK6 8DR
GLASGOW CLINIC
Spiersbridge House, 1 Spiersbridge Way, Thornliebank, G46 8NG
Frequently Asked Questions
The number of injections recommended depends on the tendon affected, the severity of the condition, and your response to treatment. Most patients receive one to three injections, administered several weeks apart. Your consultant will advise you on the most appropriate course at your initial appointment.
In many cases, the benefit of PRP for tendinitis and tendinopathy lasts between 6 and 18 months. Some patients experience improvement for longer. A repeat course can be considered in due course if symptoms return.
The evidence suggests that for chronic tendinopathy — particularly Achilles, patellar, and lateral epicondyle tendinopathy — PRP provides more sustained long-term benefit than corticosteroid injection. Corticosteroid injections can provide faster short-term relief but do not address the underlying tendon pathology and carry a risk of further tendon damage with repeated use. Your consultant will discuss which approach is most appropriate for your specific situation.
A short period of relative rest is recommended immediately after each injection — typically 48 to 72 hours. After this, a graduated return to activity, guided by your consultant and physiotherapist, is encouraged. Heavy loading of the tendon is usually restricted for the first two weeks after injection.
PRP therapy is not routinely funded by the NHS in the UK. It is available as a private treatment at Ortho Remedy Clinic in Manchester and Glasgow.
Imaging — typically an ultrasound or MRI — is helpful to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment. If you do not have recent imaging, your consultant will advise whether this should be arranged before treatment.
Contact Ortho Remedy Clinic
To arrange an appointment at our Manchester clinic, please contact us by one of the following methods:
No GP referral is required. Patients are welcome to self-refer directly. A member of the team will respond within one working day to confirm your appointment.
Book online or contact us — our Glasgow team is happy to help.