# Straight answers to common PRP questions *Frequently Asked Questions | PRP Mesa* > PRP Mesa answers common questions about how PRP is prepared, possible relief, side effects, cost, urgent symptoms, and nearby care. These answers cover platelet-rich plasma, called PRP, and the choices around it. PRP starts with blood drawn from your arm and spun in a clinic machine. The machine saves fluid with more platelets in less space for the syringe. Platelets help stop bleeding and send early repair signals. ## Sources 1. The devices used to spin PRP at the point of care are cleared by FDA as clinical centrifuges, product code JQC, a Class I device under 21 CFR 862.2050 - for example the Biomet GPS Platelet Separation Kit (K030555, cleared 2003) and the Harvest SmartPrep2 / SmartPrep Platelet Concentration System (K103340, cleared 2010). That clearance covers the equipment that separates blood. It is not an FDA approval of platelet-rich plasma as a treatment for osteoarthritis, tendinopathy or any other orthopedic condition, and copy must never blur the two. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Center for Devices and Radiological Health) — [510(k) Premarket Notification database and Product Classification: JQC, Centrifuges (Micro, Ultra, Refrigerated) For Clinical Use, 21 CFR 862.2050](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfPCD/classification.cfm?ID=JQC). *FDA accessdata (CDRH device databases)*, 2003. 2. FDA states verbatim of stem cell, stromal vascular fraction, umbilical cord blood, Wharton's jelly, amniotic fluid and exosome products: 'None of these products have been approved for the treatment of any orthopedic condition, such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, disc disease, tennis elbow, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, neck pain, or shoulder pain.' The only FDA-approved stem cell products in the United States are blood-forming cells from umbilical cord blood, approved only for disorders of blood production, and there are no FDA-approved exosome products. PRP is a different product from all of these and the categories must not be blurred in either direction. U.S. Food and Drug Administration — [Consumer Alert on Regenerative Medicine Products Including Stem Cells and Exosomes](https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/consumers-biologics/consumer-alert-regenerative-medicine-products-including-stem-cells-and-exosomes). *FDA (Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research)*, 2020. 3. Medicare's national coverage policy covers autologous platelet-rich plasma ONLY for patients with chronic non-healing diabetic, pressure and/or venous wounds, and only within an approved coverage-with-evidence-development clinical study. There is no Medicare national coverage for PRP in osteoarthritis or tendinopathy, which is why these injections are billed to the patient as cash-pay. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — [Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma (Coverage with Evidence Development)](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/evidence/plasma). *CMS.gov*, 2024. 4. In January 2025 the FTC and the Georgia Attorney General obtained federal court orders permanently BANNING the co-founders of the Stem Cell Institute of America and related companies from marketing stem cell therapy, plus $5,155,146 in civil penalties and consumer refunds. The court found on summary judgment that the defendants published false and misleading advertisements about the efficacy and approval of stem cell injections for conditions including osteoarthritis; the affiliated clinic had charged up to $5,000 per injection, almost exclusively to elderly and disabled consumers. Federal Trade Commission — [Stem Cell Institute Co-Founders and Companies Banned from Marketing Stem Cell Treatments and Ordered to Pay More Than $5.1 Million for Refunds and Civil Penalties](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/stem-cell-institute-co-founders-companies-banned-marketing-stem-cell-treatments-ordered-pay-more-51). *FTC Press Release*, 2025. 5. In the RESTORE trial - the largest placebo-controlled PRP trial in knee osteoarthritis - 288 adults aged 50+ with symptomatic Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2-3 medial knee OA received three weekly intra-articular injections of leukocyte-poor PRP from a commercial system or saline placebo. At 12 months the mean change in knee pain was -2.1 points with PRP versus -1.8 with saline (difference -0.4; 95% CI -0.9 to 0.2; P=.17) against a minimum clinically important difference of 1.8, and the change in medial tibial cartilage volume was -1.4% versus -1.2% (difference -0.2%; 95% CI -1.9% to 1.5%; P=.81). Twenty-nine of 31 prespecified secondary outcomes showed no significant between-group difference. The authors concluded the findings do not support use of PRP for knee OA. Bennell KL, Paterson KL, Metcalf BR, et al. — [Effect of Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma vs Placebo Injection on Pain and Medial Tibial Cartilage Volume in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: The RESTORE Randomized Clinical Trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34812863/). *JAMA*, 2021. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.19415. 6. A meta-analysis of eight studies (648 patients, mean age 59) judged at low risk of bias found PRP significantly better than intra-articular corticosteroid for knee OA symptoms at 3, 6 and 9 months (P<0.01), with the largest effects at 6 months (SMD -0.78; 95% CI -1.34 to -0.23) and 9 months (SMD -1.63; 95% CI -2.14 to -1.12). This is the strongest available case for PRP as a longer-acting alternative to a steroid shot. McLarnon M, Heron N — [Intra-articular platelet-rich plasma injections versus intra-articular corticosteroid injections for symptomatic management of knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34134679/). *BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders*, 2021. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-021-04308-3. 7. A systematic review of 105 clinical PRP studies in orthopaedics published 2006-2016 found that only 11 (10%) described the preparation protocol clearly enough for another investigator to repeat it, and only 17 (16%) reported any quantitative metric of the final PRP composition. The authors concluded that the current reporting of PRP preparation and composition does not allow the PRP products actually delivered to patients to be compared between studies. Chahla J, Cinque ME, Piuzzi NS, et al. — [A Call for Standardization in Platelet-Rich Plasma Preparation Protocols and Composition Reporting: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Orthopaedic Literature](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29040132/). *Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American)*, 2017. DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.16.01374. 8. The 2019 ACR/Arthritis Foundation osteoarthritis guideline makes STRONG recommendations for exercise, weight loss in people with overweight or obesity, self-management programmes, tai chi, cane use, tibiofemoral bracing, topical and oral NSAIDs and intra-articular glucocorticoid injections for knee OA. Its conditional recommendations cover balance exercises, yoga, CBT, acupuncture, thermal modalities, radiofrequency ablation, acetaminophen, duloxetine and tramadol. Anything offered before a course of the strongly recommended options is being offered out of order. Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al. — [2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31908163/). *Arthritis & Rheumatology*, 2020. DOI: 10.1002/art.41142. 9. A meta-analysis of 73 articles covering 5,895 patients quantified the PLACEBO response to intra-articular injection in knee osteoarthritis: statistically and clinically significant improvements in pain, function and quality of life at 1, 3 and 6 months, with responder rates above 50% at each of those points, declining by 12 months. The placebo response was stronger in trials with more female participants and in more recently published trials. This is why an uncontrolled 'our patients improved' figure carries almost no information. Previtali D, Boffa A, Di Laura Frattura G, et al. — [Placebo response to intra-articular injections in knee osteoarthritis: magnitude, evolution over time, and influencing factors. A systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41031623/). *EFORT Open Reviews*, 2025. DOI: 10.1530/EOR-2025-0022. 10. A Bayesian network meta-analysis of nine studies (six RCTs, 1055 patients) found leukocyte-POOR PRP produced significantly better WOMAC scores than hyaluronic acid (mean difference -21.14; 95% CI -39.63 to -2.65) and than placebo (-17.84; 95% CI -34.95 to -0.73), while leukocyte-RICH PRP showed no such significant difference versus placebo. PRP of either type caused more local adverse reactions than hyaluronic acid (OR 5.63; 95% CI 1.38-22.90), almost always local swelling and pain, with no difference in safety between the two PRP types. Riboh JC, Saltzman BM, Yanke AB, et al. — [Effect of Leukocyte Concentration on the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25925602/). *American Journal of Sports Medicine*, 2016. DOI: 10.1177/0363546515580787. ## What is PRP? PRP is the blood-based shot described above, and its purpose is to support repair signals in the sore area. That purpose isn't the same as proven relief. Your exam still needs to show where the shot would go and whether it fits. ## Does PRP work for joint soreness? The answer depends on the joint or tendon. In a large knee study, PRP and salt water gave the same pain result at 12 months. Other reviews found PRP ahead of cortisone or gel later, sometimes by too little to feel. Your clinician can explain which result fits the exam, since one answer won't cover every joint. ## What can I try before PRP? Gentle movement, physical therapy, warmth, a cold pack, or joint support may help. Your doctor can compare pain medicine with the other drugs you take. These choices aren't just something to get through, and you may find that one gives enough relief. ## What side effects can follow PRP? More soreness and swelling may last for several days after the shot. The clinic can explain what is usual and what isn't. Rising pain, spreading redness, pus, fever, or feeling ill needs urgent care, so please don't ignore symptoms that are getting worse. ## How much does PRP cost? Patients often pay the PRP bill themselves, and prices can differ by clinic. You may ask for a dated written total before agreeing to care. Ask whether it includes the visit, the shot, and later checks, because a clear price makes the choice easier to weigh. ## What if my soreness does not settle at home? When home care hasn't settled the soreness, QC Kinetix provides regenerative treatments. That means non-surgical care the clinic prepares using material taken from your blood. Its medical providers are the clinicians who examine the joint before discussing care. The first consultation doesn't cost anything, and you may call (602) 837-PAIN about the Chandler or Scottsdale office. ## A clinic can examine soreness that keeps returning When the ache hasn't settled, QC Kinetix has regenerative treatment options. In plain words, this is non-surgical care made at the clinic with material drawn from your blood. One choice is PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, prepared by spinning the blood and saving fluid with many platelets. Those cells help a cut clot and send repair signals. The clinicians serving as medical providers examine you and consider your health and earlier care first. Most Mesa readers use Chandler. North and northeast Mesa may find Scottsdale easier, and you can call (602) 837-PAIN when you're ready to talk. Book a free consultation: --- A calm welcome for the joint that hurts. PRP Mesa covers lasting soreness, simple relief at home, warning signs, and what happens during a clinic visit. Mesa answers for readers who are weighing care for an aching joint. This site is operated by the owners of the QC Kinetix Phoenix-area clinics, including the Chandler and Scottsdale offices named here, and the business may benefit when a reader books a consultation. Copyright 2026 Mesa PRP Label Guide. General education only; a web page cannot diagnose a joint or replace care from a qualified medical professional.