If you have stubborn knee pain or a tendon injury that has not settled with rest and physiotherapy, you may have heard of platelet-rich plasma, or PRP. It is offered by some sports medicine, orthopaedic and pain clinics, and it is often described as a way to help the body heal itself. This guide explains what a PRP injection knee Singapore patients are offered actually involves, what the research says, and the practical questions about costs and insurance.
This is general information, not medical advice. Whether PRP suits you depends on your diagnosis, health and goals, so discuss it with a doctor who has examined you.
What PRP Is and How It Is Done
Platelets are cells in your blood that help with clotting and release growth factors involved in tissue repair. PRP is a concentrated preparation of your own platelets in a small amount of plasma.
A typical procedure goes like this:
- Blood is drawn from your arm, much like a routine blood test.
- The blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate it into layers.
- The platelet-rich layer is collected and prepared.
- It is injected into the injured area, such as the knee joint or around a tendon, often under ultrasound guidance so the doctor can place it accurately.
Because PRP uses your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction to the material itself is low. However, it is still an injection, so there are risks such as pain, swelling and, rarely, infection. Preparation methods differ between clinics and systems, including how concentrated the platelets are and whether white blood cells are included. This variation is one reason research results are mixed.
What the Evidence Says
PRP is an active area of research, and the evidence differs by condition. Broadly:
- Knee osteoarthritis. Some studies suggest PRP may reduce pain and improve function for some people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, compared with certain other injections. Other studies have found little or no difference. It is not considered a cure, and it does not regrow lost cartilage.
- Tendon problems. PRP has been studied for conditions such as tennis elbow, patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee) and Achilles tendinopathy. Results vary between studies and conditions.
- Acute injuries and surgery. Evidence for using PRP to speed up recovery from muscle tears or after surgery is limited and inconsistent.
Professional guidelines differ on how strongly to recommend PRP, and some do not recommend it routinely. The honest summary is that it may help some patients, the results are not guaranteed, and it is usually considered after standard treatments such as exercise therapy, load management and weight management have been tried.
Ask your doctor what the evidence shows for your specific condition, how many injections they suggest and how they will measure whether it has worked.
PRP Compared With Other Options
PRP is one of several treatments for knee and tendon problems. The table gives a broad comparison; your doctor can explain which suit your case.
| Option | What it aims to do | Points to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy and exercise | Strengthen muscles, improve movement and load tolerance | First-line for most knee and tendon problems; needs consistent effort |
| Steroid injection | Reduce inflammation and pain in the short term | Relief may be temporary; repeated use in tendons is often avoided |
| Hyaluronic acid injection | Improve joint lubrication in osteoarthritis | Evidence is mixed; used mainly for knees |
| PRP injection | Use concentrated platelets to support healing | Evidence is mixed by condition; may need more than one session |
| Shockwave therapy | Stimulate healing in chronic tendon problems | Several sessions usually needed; not for every condition |
| Surgery | Repair or replace damaged structures | Considered when other options fail or damage is severe |
For more on non-injection options, see our guides to shockwave therapy for tendon and heel pain and recovering from sports injuries.
Who Might Be Offered PRP
Doctors may discuss PRP with patients who:
- have mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis with ongoing pain despite exercise therapy,
- have a chronic tendon problem that has not improved with a structured rehabilitation programme,
- want to explore options before considering surgery,
- understand that results are uncertain and may take weeks to show.
PRP may not be suitable for people with certain blood disorders, active infections, some cancers or those taking particular medications. Your doctor will review your medical history. Tell them about all medicines and supplements you take, including blood thinners and anti-inflammatory painkillers, as some may need to be paused around the procedure on medical advice only.
Costs and Insurance
PRP is generally offered at private specialist clinics and some hospital outpatient clinics. Fees vary depending on the clinic, the preparation system used, whether imaging guidance is included and how many sessions are recommended. Consultation, imaging scans and follow-up visits are often charged separately. Ask for an itemised written estimate before you agree to treatment, and ask how many sessions you are likely to need in total.
On insurance and payment:
- PRP is often treated as an outpatient procedure, and coverage is not guaranteed. Some policies may exclude it or treat it as elective or not established, while others may cover it in certain circumstances.
- Check whether MediSave can be used. MediSave rules on what can be claimed are set by the Ministry of Health, so ask the clinic whether the procedure is claimable and check the latest information on the MOH or CPF Board websites.
- Integrated Shield plans and riders have their own terms for outpatient treatment. Read your policy wording and contact your insurer before treatment, not after.
- Corporate or group insurance may have outpatient specialist benefits; check with HR or the insurer about limits and whether a referral is required.
If cost is a concern, ask your doctor whether a public specialist clinic referral through a polyclinic is an option for assessing your condition.
Questions to Ask Before You Agree
- What is my exact diagnosis, and has imaging confirmed it?
- What other treatments should I try first, and what have I not tried yet?
- What does the evidence show for PRP in my condition specifically?
- How many injections, how far apart, and what is the total cost?
- What should I avoid before and after the injection, and when can I return to exercise?
- What are the risks and side effects, and who do I contact if I have a problem?
- How will we decide whether it has worked?
Recovery and Rehabilitation
After a PRP injection, some soreness for a few days is common. Doctors usually advise a period of relative rest followed by a gradual return to activity. Most clinicians see PRP as an addition to rehabilitation, not a replacement. Continuing a structured exercise programme with a physiotherapist remains important for long-term results.
For everyday joint care, our guide to caring for your knees and joints covers the basics. Above all, make decisions about PRP together with a doctor who knows your history.
Further reading: Managing Arthritis and Joint Pain