PRP Injections Brisbane | The Back Pain Doctor Brisbane

PRP injections use concentrated platelets enriched with bioactive proteins, including growth factors, to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration for chronic joint, ligament, and tendon injuries.

What it can help with

Knee osteoarthritis
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Rotator cuff tendinopathy
Gluteal & hamstring tendinopathy
Plantar fasciitis
Achilles tendinopathy

Suitability depends on your individual diagnosis and is assessed at consultation.

We provide two leading PRP treatment systems.

ACP Max™ Platelet-Rich Plasma System

Concentration of platelets and growth factors from platelet-rich plasma.

The ACP Max™ system provides efficient concentration of platelets and growth factors from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for use at the patient’s point of care. Expanding on the previous generation of PRP devices, the ACP Max system allows for a larger blood draw and provides increased platelet concentration using a unique double-syringe, double-spin design.

The Arthrex Angel PRP System

Higher blood volumes, leading to greater platelet concentrations.

The Arthrex Angel PRP System can process higher blood volumes, allowing a customisable platelet concentration. It uses flow cytometry to separate and concentrate platelets from the blood, which allows the PRP preparation to be adjusted to a target concentration. The clinical significance of different PRP preparations is still an area of active research, and the choice of system is one factor we consider when planning treatment.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an injection treatment used for some chronic joint, ligament and tendon conditions. At our Brisbane clinic in Milton, PRP involves taking a small sample of your own blood, concentrating the platelets, and injecting that preparation into the affected area under ultrasound guidance.

Platelets contain bioactive proteins, including growth factors, that play a role in the body’s normal tissue-repair processes. The rationale for PRP is that delivering a concentrated dose of these factors to an injured area may support healing. PRP is usually performed under ultrasound guidance to direct the injection accurately to the targeted tissue or joint.

PRP has been studied across a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including knee osteoarthritis, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), rotator cuff and other tendinopathies, and plantar fasciitis. The evidence base is mixed and varies by condition: some indications (such as knee osteoarthritis and tennis elbow) have more supportive data than others, while for several conditions the evidence remains limited or inconsistent. PRP is not a guaranteed cure, and it is generally considered when first-line measures such as load management, physiotherapy and time have not produced an adequate response.

Whether PRP is appropriate for you depends on your specific diagnosis, your previous treatment, and your goals. We will discuss the realistic expected benefits, the current state of the evidence, the costs, and the alternatives before proceeding. PRP is one option within a broader management plan rather than a standalone treatment.

What the evidence shows

PRP has a substantial and growing evidence base for several musculoskeletal conditions, and it is not an experimental treatment. For knee osteoarthritis, multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials report meaningful improvements in pain and function, with several finding PRP superior to hyaluronic acid and, in mild-to-moderate disease, to corticosteroid. For lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), meta-analyses report that PRP tends to produce better long-term pain and function outcomes than corticosteroid, which often gives greater short-term relief but poorer durability. The evidence is stronger for some indications than others, and results are affected by differences in PRP preparation between studies. PRP is best considered when first-line measures — load management, physiotherapy and time — have not produced an adequate response, and it is used as part of a broader plan rather than a standalone cure.

Sources: PRP for osteoarthritis — systematic review & meta-analysis of RCTs (Frontiers in Medicine, 2023) , PRP for lateral epicondylitis — systematic review & meta-analysis (Am J Sports Med, 2022)

Frequently asked questions

How strong is the evidence for PRP?

PRP is supported by randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses for conditions such as knee osteoarthritis and tennis elbow, where it can improve pain and function and, for some indications, outperform alternatives such as hyaluronic acid or corticosteroid over the longer term. It is not a guaranteed cure, and the strength of evidence varies by condition — we will be specific about what the evidence shows for your problem.

How many injections will I need?

This depends on the condition being treated and your response. PRP is commonly given as a short course of injections rather than a single treatment. We will outline an expected plan at your consultation.

Does it hurt, and is there downtime?

You may feel discomfort during and for a few days after the injection, as a local reaction is part of the expected process. Most people return to light activity quickly, though we may advise modifying loading or higher-impact activity for a period afterwards.

Is PRP covered by Medicare or private health insurance?

PRP is generally not covered by Medicare for musculoskeletal conditions and is usually an out-of-pocket cost. Coverage can change, so we will confirm the current position and costs with you before proceeding.

When will I know if it has worked?

Any benefit from PRP typically develops gradually over weeks to months rather than immediately. We will arrange review to assess your response and discuss next steps.

Ready for a clearer plan for your back or musculoskeletal pain?

Book an assessment with Dr Joshua Hatch.

Your assessment focuses on understanding the likely source of your pain and the most appropriate non-surgical options for your diagnosis, with the aim of reducing pain and improving function.

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Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections Brisbane