Medically reviewed by Dr. Steve Matta, DO, MBA, CAQSM
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy offers a natural, minimally invasive solution to shoulder pain. This regenerative treatment uses your body’s own healing components to target pain at its source, whether that pain is caused by rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, bursitis, or other conditions.
We rely on our shoulders constantly. Even mild shoulder pain can make simple tasks like dressing, driving, or sleeping difficult, and it’s incredibly common. Harvard Health estimates up to 70 % of people will experience shoulder pain at some point in their lives.
Traditional shoulder pain treatments often focus on relieving symptoms rather than addressing their cause. PRP injections for shoulders instead offer a regenerative treatment that triggers your body’s own natural healing responses to get to the root of the pain.
We’ll cover all of that in this article plus:
- What PRP is and how it works for shoulder pain
- Which shoulder conditions PRP can help treat
- What to expect before, during, and after your PRP treatment
- Why Meeting Point Health is a trusted provider of PRP therapy in Philadelphia
What Is PRP and How Does It Work for Shoulder Pain?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses a concentrated dose of your body’s own healing cells to reduce shoulder pain, improve mobility, and support tissue repair—especially in cases of rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, or chronic inflammation.
Your blood contains platelets—tiny cells that help with healing when you’re injured. They also carry special proteins called growth factors, which your body uses to repair damaged tissue. In PRP therapy, your doctor takes some of your blood and spins it in a machine to separate and concentrate the platelets. This creates platelet-rich plasma, which has a much higher number of healing platelets than normal blood.
By injecting PRP directly into the injured area of the shoulder, it helps jumpstart your body’s natural healing process without the need for surgery or long-term medication.
How Does PRP Heal Shoulder Pain?
If you’re dealing with a rotator cuff injury, tendonitis, bursitis, or general shoulder inflammation, your body might be struggling to heal on its own. When the PRP is injected directly into the painful or damaged part of your shoulder, the concentrated growth factors work like a healing boost:
- They reduce inflammation
- They speed up tissue repair
- They support long-term healing, rather than just masking the pain
In short, PRP tells your shoulder to heal itself—faster and more effectively.
Related reading: Heal a Torn Rotator Cuff Naturally
Shoulder Injuries and Conditions Treated by PRP
PRP therapy can help treat many common causes of shoulder pain, including:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Arthritis
- Frozen shoulder
- Impingement
- Bursitis
Learn more about how PRP therapy treats these conditions below.
Rotator cuff tears
The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that help to stabilize and support the shoulder joint. Injuries can happen from sudden trauma or long-term wear and tear.
PRP therapy can help by:
- Reducing inflammation
- Stimulating healing in the damaged tendon
- Supporting long-term repair without surgery
Shoulder arthritis
Shoulder arthritis occurs when the cartilage in the shoulder becomes damaged or worn away by repetitive use. This leads to inflammation in the joint, which, in turn, causes pain and stiffness.
PRP therapy helps shoulder arthritis by:
- Reducing inflammation
- Stimulating healing in the damaged tissues
- Aiding in cartilage repair and regeneration
Frozen Shoulder
Also called “adhesive capsulitis,” frozen shoulder occurs when the shoulder joint becomes locked in place, severely restricting movement. Frozen shoulder can happen after an injury, surgery, or prolonged lack of use.
PRP injections for shoulders can help by:
- Relieving pain of frozen shoulder
- Aiding in the regeneration of shoulder-stabilizing tissues
- Improving the range of motion
Related reading: The Four Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement is a condition in which the tendons of the shoulder rub against the bone of the shoulder blade when in use. The tendons then become inflamed and painful, limiting use of the shoulder.
For shoulder impingement, PRP injections can:
- Reduce inflammation in the joint and tendons
- Improve movement in the shoulder
Shoulder bursitis
Bursae are the small, fluid-filled sacs that serve as cushions between bones, tendons, and muscles. Bursitis occurs when these sacs become inflamed instead, causing pain in the shoulder.
PRP injections help bursitis by:
- Reducing inflammation
- Repairing tissue damage that may be contributing to bursitis
What to Expect During PRP Treatment for Shoulder Pain
Since PRP therapy is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure, it can be completed in-office and usually takes less than an hour.
Here is what you can expect during a PRP shoulder injection procedure:
- A sample of your blood is drawn.
- The blood is placed in a machine (centrifuge) to concentrate the platelets.
- The PRP is injected into the part of your shoulder that needs healing.
Recovery Time for PRP Shoulder Injections
Healing after PRP injections for shoulders is progressive. While patients often experience some discomfort or soreness immediately after the injection, you should see a gradual improvement in both your pain and range of motion over time.
Here is what to expect after a PRP injection in the shoulder:
- 24-48 hours: The PRP sparks an inflammatory response in and around the injection site, which encourages healing. Some soreness or discomfort is expected.
- 1-4 weeks: Inflammation should subside, along with any pain or swelling. Gentle motion is encouraged to prevent stiffness and aid in healing.
- 4-12 weeks: Most patients see noticeable improvement in pain and mobility.
Activities to Avoid to Support Shoulder Healing After Treatment
Some activities should be avoided during treatment to allow the natural healing process and prevent further damage. These include:
- Lifting heavy weights
- Overhead movement
- Using alcohol or tobacco
- Excessive heat exposure
- Using anti-inflammatory medications, which can interfere with your body’s healing response
Activities that can support healing and improve your PRP injection outcomes include:
- Doing gentle, low-impact strength and cardio exercises
- Eating healthy, nutrient-rich diet
- Staying hydrated
How Do PRP Injections Compare to Shoulder Surgery or Cortisone Shots?
PRP injections offer a middle-ground option for shoulder pain—less invasive than surgery and more restorative than cortisone shots. While surgery may be needed for severe injuries and cortisone can provide fast relief, PRP works by naturally healing damaged tissue, reducing inflammation, and improving shoulder function over time, often with fewer risks and a shorter recovery.
PRP vs. Cortisone
| Cortisone Shots | PRP Injections |
| – Offers quick, but short-term relief – Can weaken tissues with repeated use – Masks pain | – Stimulates natural healing – Improves tissue health over time – Fewer risks and no immune suppression |
Cortisone injections reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system to offer relief from pain. They’re fast-acting, offering noticeable relief within days. However, the side effects of cortisone shots limit their use, including a “cortisone flare” of pain and swelling, blood sugar changes, and weakening of tissues over time.
PRP injections work over time to treat the root of the problem, rather than offering short-term relief for shoulder pain. Side effects are minimal. The long-term effects, however, are powerful. They include better blood flow and collagen production to boost the health of your tissues rather than mask pain. In short, PRP offers long-term wellness—not symptom suppression.
PRP vs. Surgery
| Shoulder Surgery | PRP Injections for Shoulders |
| – May be necessary for major tears – Involves downtime, anesthesia, and risk of complications – Longer recovery period (months vs. weeks with PRP) | – Stimulates natural healing – Improves tissue health over time – Shorter recovery time – Fewer risks and no anesthesia needed |
For many patients, PRP injections for shoulders offer an effective alternative to surgery, without the long recovery or risks associated with anesthesia. By promoting natural healing, PRP can reduce pain, improve mobility, and support tissue repair over time. For many people, PRP can delay—or even eliminate—the need for surgery, especially when paired with a full-body healing approach that includes nutrition, movement, and supportive care.
Recovery from shoulder surgery can take several months and typically involves extended periods of rest, physical therapy, and restricted activity. There are also higher risks, including stiffness, nerve damage, and complications from anesthesia.
Surgery may still be the right option in some cases, especially when you’ve experienced a major or complete tear in the shoulder tendons. Despite the risks, surgery can repair or reconstruct these damaged tissues.
How Many PRP Injections Are Needed for Shoulder Pain Relief?
Most patients need one to three rounds of PRP injections for shoulders, spaced several weeks apart, to get the shoulder pain relief they’re seeking.
The total number of PRP injections required depends on the patient, the extent of the injury, and the desired outcomes. At Meeting Point Health, we thoughtfully design each patient’s treatment plan based on their individual situation and goals. PRP isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment, and it’s most effective as part of a total-body, integrative approach to wellness that considers nutritional status, inflammation, and movement patterns as well.
What Is the Success Rate of PRP Shoulder Injections?
The success rate of PRP injections for shoulder pain depends on the type of injury, how early it’s treated, and how well you follow post-care guidance, but most studies estimate a success rate of 75-85%. This includes a 2021 study which looked at the use of PRP for rotator cuff injuries.
In that study, PRP was 78% successful in treating rotator cuff tears. Even better, the results of treatment lasted more than two years for the majority of patients. That’s because PRP doesn’t just cover up the pain—it stimulates healing.
One MPH patient, Dan, came to us for PRP treatments after being recommended for surgery. In a Google review, he said this: “The PAIN IS GONE, and I have my range of motion back.”
Are There Any Side Effects or Risks of PRP?
PRP therapy is considered to be very safe, in part because it uses the patient’s own blood to promote healing. Some mild side effects are to be expected immediately after injection, including soreness, swelling, stiffness at injection site. On rare occasions, a patient may have an infection at the injection site.
Compared with traditional shoulder pain treatments like cortisone therapy, these risks are minimal. Cortisone often results in short-term pain and inflammation (often called a “cortisone flare”), infection, skin changes (discoloration or thinning), increased blood sugar levels, and tissue damage. Worse, it doesn’t correct the core issue, but only masks the pain.
Choose Meeting Point Health for PRP Shoulder Injections in Philadelphia
Led by Dr. Steve Matta, Meeting Point Health is the leading integrative health provider in Philadelphia, offering a holistic, patient-centered approach to medicine. Dr. Matta is a triple board-certified physician with expertise in Family Medicine, Sports Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy. Both he and Mary Anne Matta are Seeds Scientific Research and Performance (SSRP) Fellows in cellular medicine, utilizing PRP as part of an integrative plan that may include functional medicine, physical therapy, fascial work, or nutrition.
If you’re dealing with nagging shoulder pain and you want a better option than surgery or cortisone injections, book a consultation with our team to learn more about PRP injections for shoulders. Simply schedule a discovery call or request more information from our team.
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Additional Questions About PRP Injections for Shoulder Pain
Below are some of the most common questions about PRP injections that we hear from patients.
How long should you rest after PRP therapy?
Soreness and discomfort is common for the first few days after treatment. After that, you can resume normal activities, including gentle exercise. It’s important to not do too much as you heal—strenuous activities and overhead movements can cause more damage and reduce the effectiveness of PRP therapy.
How long do PRP injections last in the shoulder?
Because PRP injections are intended to promote healing in the tissues and joints causing you pain, the results can last for months or even years. In one study, nearly 70% of patients who had received PRP for rotator cuff injuries still saw positive effects two years later. The longevity of your results, however, is dependent on you, and how well you support your own healing through diet, exercise, and overall wellness.
How often can you get PRP injections for the shoulder?
Treatments are typically spaced two weeks apart, giving your body time to respond to the healing powers of the PRP injections.