PRP Injections for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is common, especially when it involves the rotator cuff tendons (the group of tendons that stabilise your shoulder). Many people who suffer from rotator cuff issues like tendinopathy (tendon wear and tear), tendonitis (tendon inflammation), or partial rotator cuff tears. These conditions can cause persistent pain and limit your shoulder movement, affecting everyday activities. In recent years, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have emerged as an effective and safe treatment to help reduce pain and heal rotator cuff pathologies.

In this post, Dr Mustafa Alnaib explains what PRP injections are and summarise the latest research on using PRP for shoulder pain, with a focus on rotator cuff tendinopathy, tendonitis, and partial tears

What is PRP and Why Consider It for Shoulder Pain?

PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma that is derived from your own blood. A sample of your blood is taken, then spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets (blood cells involved in healing). This concentrated plasma, rich in growth factors, is then injected into the injured area (for example, the rotator cuff tendon), guided by ultrasound scan, to stimulate healing. The principle is that the growth factors in platelets can reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair in a natural way. For shoulder tendon problems, PRP injections are usually done with ultrasound guidance to ensure the plasma is delivered to the exact spot of tendon damage. Because the injection uses your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction or rejection is eliminated.

PRP injections for shoulder pain are considered when standard treatments (such as rest, physiotherapy, or steroid injections) haven’t fully helped. Rotator cuff problems can take a long time to heal, and tendons don’t get a lot of blood flow, so recovery can be slow. PRP aims to “boost” the healing process.

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PRP vs Cortisone (Steroid) Injections 

Cortisone (steroid) injections are a common treatment for shoulder pain, but they can have downsides (like weakening the tendon over time). Interestingly, research shows that PRP is better for longer-term relief without the side effects of steroids in a review of 9 studies involving over 600 patients. If you’re considering PRP, it’s important to know that it’s not an overnight cure

Partial Rotator Cuff Tears and Tendinopathy

PRP reduces pain and improves shoulder function in many people with partial rotator cuff tears or tendinopathy. However, individuals with tendinopathy alone showed more significant improvement compared to those with a partial tear. Read our article about PRP injections for tendon pain, how it works and what to expect. It important to note that not all rotator cuff tears are suitable for PRP injections, especially if the tear is large or there is full rupture, those tears benefit form surfical repair, which is usually

Is PRP Safe? Understanding the Risks and Side Effects

One of the advantages of PRP therapy is its safety profile. Since the injectate is extracted from your own blood components, there’s no foreign chemical or medication being introduced, this means concerns about allergic reactions are essentially a non-issue. Studies consistently report that PRP injections for shoulder conditions are safe and well-tolerated by patients​. Unlike repeated cortisone shots, PRP doesn’t carry a risk of thinning the tissues or causing tendon damage; on the contrary, it aims to strengthen and heal the tendon.

That said, no medical procedure is 100% risk-free. Here are some considerations on PRP safety:

• Post-injection pain: It’s normal to experience some pain, stiffness, or mild swelling in the shoulder for a short time after a PRP injection. This typically lasts a few days and can be managed with simple pain relievers (except anti-inflammatory medications, which are usually avoided so they don’t interfere with the PRP’s action). The post-injection soreness is often a sign that the body’s healing process is kicking in.

• Infection risk: Any time a needle is inserted into the body, there’s a slight risk of infection. However, PRP is done under sterile conditions (with ultrasound guidance to ensure precise placement), so infections are extremely uncommon. PRP does not have that immunosuppressive effect. In fact, if a patient might need surgery eventually, many surgeons prefer that the patient had PRP rather than a steroid injection in the months prior, to avoid any elevated infection risk during surgery​.

  
  

• Quality of PRP preparation: The safety and effectiveness of PRP can depend on how it’s prepared. A centrifuge is used to spin the blood and concentrate the plasma which contains the platelets and growth factors. Your doctor should explain the types of PRP and how each type is suitable for each condition being treated. Read our article on PRP preparation and injection technique here.

Overall, PRP injections have an excellent safety record in the treatment of rotator cuff injuries. Adverse events are rare, and when they do occur, they are usually minor and temporary. This safety, combined with the long term benefits, is a big part of why patients are interested in PRP as an alternative to more invasive treatments or long-term medication use.

What to Expect if You Consider PRP

If you’re in London, Kent, and you are considering a PRP injection for shoulder pain at one of our ACTIVATE clinic locations, here’s an explanation of what the process would be:

• Consultation: First, you’ll have an assessment with Dr Alnaib who will evaluate your shoulder condition by taking a detailed history with a specialised clinical assessment and an ultrasound in clinic or MRI scan if required, to see if you have tendinopathy, a partial tear, full tear or other shoulder pathology.

• Procedure: If PRP is considered suitable and agreeable to you, injections are typically done as an outpatient procedure, and potentially on the same day.

• A small amount of blood (like a routine blood test) is drawn from your arm. This blood is placed in a centrifuge machine that separates the platelet-rich plasma. The area on your shoulder is cleaned and often numbed with local anaesthetic. Using ultrasound imaging for guidance, Dr Alnaib injects the PRP directly into the affected area of the rotator cuff (in the partial tear or the tendinopathy area). The injection itself is quick, it only takes few minutes once everything is ready.

• Aftercare: You’ll likely be advised to take it easy for a day or two. You might feel an ache or pressure in the shoulder which is normal. You should avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) right after PRP, because inflammation is part of the healing process that PRP triggers. Paracetamol can be used for pain if needed. Most patients resume light activities within a few days. You will receive a personalised digital physiotherapy program to restore range of motion and strength in the weeks following the injection. Physiotherapy is essential and complements the effects of PRP by retraining the muscles and tendons as they heal.

• Follow-Up: Improvements from PRP aren’t instant, it’s working to repair tissue. You might start to notice reduced pain and better mobility over a period of weeks. Many patients see noticeable improvements by about 6-8 weeks, with further gains at 3 months and 6 months post-injection. In some patients, one or two more injections can be done if they notice a plateau of effect after initial improvement, this can also depend on the severity of the condition. You’ll have follow-up appointments to track your progress.

  
  

• Availability and cost: We at ACTIVATE are pleased to offer PRP injections as a one stop service for suitable patients in London and Kent. It is not a procedure that is widely available through the NHS for all patients, and even if it was, there is a long wait. At ACTIVATE, you can potentially have your PRP injection within one week or less. Regarding costs, please visit our Prices page on the website for details.

  
  

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Conclusion: Is PRP Right for Your Shoulder Pain?

Platelet-rich plasma injections represent a regenerative approach to treating shoulder pain, especially from rotator cuff pathologies. The published research suggests that PRP is safe and can be effective in reducing pain and improving function for many people suffering from rotator cuff tendinopathy or partial tears in the long term. It might not work for everyone, particularly in cases of larger tears or very severe degeneration, but it offers an option when conventional treatments haven’t given you the relief you expect.

Our patients who have undergone PRP injections for shoulder pain have reported excellent pain relief and return to function.

"I am really pleased with the result of PRP injection. I can confirm that my shoulder is nearly as was before the injury and continue to improve deay by day. Doctor Mustafa Alnaib was extremely helpful and patient during the procedure and the fallow up was exceceptional.Strongly recomanded for patients with traumatic rotator cuff tear."

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About the Author: Dr. Mustafa Alnaib MBChB, MRCS, MSc, FEBOT is an orthopaedic surgeon, musculoskeletal doctor and Clinic Director at ACTIVATE Musculoskeletal Clinic in Kent.