PRP (platelet-rich plasma) for knee or tendon pain is an injection prepared from a small sample of your own blood. At Skin Art MD in Burnaby, it starts with a 15-minute PRP screening appointment, and you may need a diagnosis or imaging from your physician first. The evidence for PRP varies by condition and is still developing, so it is worth understanding the assessment, the procedure and the recovery before you decide.
People in Burnaby and across Greater Vancouver search for "PRP injection knee" or "PRP for tendonitis" for many reasons: a sore knee that limits walking, an elbow or Achilles tendon that keeps flaring up, or a recommendation from a friend. This article explains what PRP is, why assessment comes first, what the procedure involves, what recovery usually looks like, who may not be suited to it, and how coverage generally works in BC. It does not replace advice from your own physician.
What is PRP, and how is joint PRP different from skin or hair PRP?
PRP is a concentrate of platelets made from your own blood: a sample is drawn, spun in a centrifuge to separate its components, and the platelet-rich portion is drawn up for injection. The same basic preparation is used for skin, hair and joints, but the target, the injection approach and the questions you should ask are different.
Our PRP page covers PRP for skin and hair. This article is only about joints and tendons, such as the knee, the elbow, the shoulder or the Achilles tendon. Because PRP comes from your own blood, it is not a manufactured drug, but it is still an injection procedure with real considerations, which is why the assessment step matters.
What does the research say about PRP for knees and tendons?
The honest answer is that it depends on the condition, and the research is still evolving. Studies have looked at PRP for knee osteoarthritis and for several tendon problems, with mixed findings, differences in how PRP is prepared, and open questions about who is most likely to respond.
What this means in practice:
- PRP is not a substitute for a diagnosis. The same "knee pain" can come from very different causes.
- Nobody can promise a particular result, and individual results vary.
- PRP does not rebuild cartilage, and you should be cautious of anyone who says it will.
- For many joint and tendon problems, physiotherapy and an exercise program remain the core of care, with or without PRP.
A good assessment should leave you with a clear sense of whether PRP is a reasonable option for your situation, and what else you could consider.
Why does assessment come before any injection?
Because the first question is what is actually causing the pain, and whether an injection makes sense at all. At Skin Art MD, the first step is a 15-minute PRP screening appointment with our naturopathic physician, Dr. Ekaterina Krantsevich Riehl, BSc, ND, who performs joint and tendon PRP herself.
During the screening she reviews:
- Your diagnosis so far. Has a physician examined the area? Have you had an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI, and what did the report say?
- Your health history and medications, including blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medicines, supplements and any recent injections.
- What you have already tried, such as physiotherapy, exercise, bracing or activity changes.
- Your goals, and whether PRP is a reasonable option to discuss or whether another route fits better.
If there is no clear diagnosis yet, you may be asked to see your family physician or a sports-medicine doctor first for an examination and, where appropriate, imaging. Bring copies of reports to the screening if you have them.
When should you see a medical doctor or orthopaedics instead?
Some situations need a medical assessment rather than an elective injection. See your family physician, a walk-in clinic or a sports-medicine doctor, or go to emergency where appropriate, if you have:
- A recent injury with a "pop", sudden swelling, or a knee that gives way or locks
- Inability to bear weight, or a joint that looks deformed
- A hot, red, swollen joint, especially with fever, which can signal infection
- Night pain, unexplained weight loss, or pain that keeps getting worse
- Numbness, weakness or pain spreading down the arm or leg
Your physician can refer you to orthopaedics or other specialists when needed. A naturopathic doctor in BC cannot make specialist referrals in the way a family physician can. If you are unsure how urgent something is, HealthLink BC's 8-1-1 line is available 24 hours a day.
Who performs joint PRP, and what are the rules in BC?
In BC, naturopathic doctors are regulated by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC). According to a CCHPBC notice dated January 5, 2026, separate certifications for certain advanced procedures, including PRP-type injections, ended on April 1, 2026, and naturopathic doctors may perform these procedures if they meet all applicable standards, limits and conditions. You can check any practitioner's registration on the public register at cchpbc.ca (as of October 2026).
Whoever you see, it is reasonable to ask about their training for joint and tendon injections, how the injection will be guided, and what happens if you have a reaction afterwards.
What happens on the day of a PRP injection?
A treatment visit is booked separately, after the screening. The visit usually has three parts: a blood draw, preparation of the PRP, and the injection itself.
- Blood draw. A small amount of blood is taken from your arm, similar to a routine blood test.
- Preparation. The sample is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. This takes a short while, and you wait in the clinic.
- Injection. The skin is cleaned and the PRP is injected into or around the area identified at assessment. Some practitioners use ultrasound to help guide the needle; ask how your injection will be guided and why.
Expect pressure and discomfort during the injection; how it feels varies by person and by area. Plan to have someone drive you home if the injection is in a leg and you feel unsteady.
What should you expect during recovery?
Soreness, stiffness and some swelling at the injection site are common for several days, and for some people it lasts longer. This is a normal reaction to an injection and does not on its own tell you how things will turn out.
General points your practitioner may discuss:
- Activity. Relative rest for the first days, then a gradual return guided by your practitioner or physiotherapist. Avoid strenuous loading of the area until you are told otherwise.
- Comfort. Ask before using anti-inflammatory medicines after PRP; some practitioners prefer other approaches in the first period. Do not stop any prescribed medication without talking to the prescriber.
- Warning signs. Contact the clinic, or seek medical care, if you notice increasing redness, heat, pus, fever, or pain that is getting worse rather than settling.
How many PRP sessions are needed?
There is no single answer. Some people have one injection; others are offered a short series. The number varies with the condition, the area treated and how you respond, and it should be discussed at your follow-up rather than committed to in advance.
Who may not be suited to PRP?
PRP is not appropriate for everyone. As general guidance, extra caution is needed, or PRP may not be advisable, if you have:
- A bleeding disorder, or you take anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medication
- An active infection, either in the area or elsewhere in the body
- Certain blood conditions, such as a low platelet count
- A recent corticosteroid injection in the same area
- Cancer under active treatment, or other significant medical conditions
- Pregnancy
These will be discussed at screening. Your family physician can also help you decide.
Is PRP covered by MSP or extended health insurance?
PRP for joints and tendons is generally not covered by MSP. Extended health plans vary: some reimburse naturopathic visits up to a plan limit, but coverage for the procedure itself is uncommon and depends on your policy. Check with your insurer before booking and ask what the receipt needs to show.
How does PRP fit with physiotherapy?
PRP is usually considered alongside rehabilitation, not instead of it. Strengthening and loading programs are a mainstay of care for many tendon and knee problems, and a physiotherapist can guide a gradual return to activity after an injection. If you already work with a physiotherapist, let them know you are considering PRP so the timing of your program can be planned together.
FAQ
Is PRP the same as a cortisone injection?
No. A cortisone (corticosteroid) injection is a prescription drug. PRP is prepared from your own blood. They are different procedures with different considerations, and the choice between options should be made with your physician.
Do I need an MRI before PRP?
Not always. What matters is a clear diagnosis. Depending on the problem, your physician may order an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI, or none at all.
Can I go back to work after the injection?
Many people return to desk work soon after, but plan for soreness and activity limits in the area treated. Physically demanding work may need adjusting for a period.
Will I need a referral?
You do not need a referral to book a naturopathic screening, but if you have not yet been diagnosed, seeing your physician first is often the most useful step.
What languages are available?
Our front desk speaks English and Chinese. Naturopathic consultations are conducted in English.
Booking
Skin Art MD is in Burnaby near Metrotown and serves patients across Greater Vancouver. To find out whether PRP is a reasonable option for your knee or tendon, start with a 15-minute PRP screening appointment through our naturopathic booking page. You can also read more about naturopathic medicine at Skin Art MD.
