PRP Injections in Nashville, TN:
Dr. Damon H. Petty
Living with chronic joint pain changes everything. It changes the way you move, the way you sleep, and the way you show up for the people who depend on you. If you have tried rest, ibuprofen, and cortisone shots without lasting relief, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may be the next step toward getting your life back.
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Dr. Damon H. Petty is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and former Head Orthopedic Team Physician for the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Sounds. He performs every PRP injection personally, using ultrasound guidance for precision placement. This is not a med-spa add-on. This is evidence-based regenerative medicine from a fellowship-trained surgeon who also operates on the joints he treats, so he knows exactly when PRP can help and when surgery is the better path.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
PRP therapy uses your body's own healing mechanisms to repair damaged tissue. A small blood sample is drawn from your arm, then processed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. The result is a solution with 5 to 10 times the normal concentration of growth factors, the proteins your body naturally uses to heal injuries.
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When this concentrated plasma is injected directly into the injured area, it accelerates tissue repair by attracting stem cells, reducing inflammation, and stimulating new, healthy tissue growth. Orthopedic surgeons have used PRP since the mid-1990s, and it is now standard practice in professional sports medicine. PRP comes from your own blood, which means the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is extremely low.
Conditions We Treat with PRP in Nashville
Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Injuries
Partial rotator cuff tears, shoulder bursitis, and chronic shoulder pain often respond well to PRP therapy. For patients who want to avoid surgery or need to strengthen tissue before a procedure, PRP can help accelerate the healing process and reduce pain. The growth factors in PRP support tendon repair at the cellular level, which is why it has become a standard treatment in professional sports medicine for shoulder injuries. PRP is also very useful after rotator cuff repair surgery to augment the healing process.
Tennis Elbow and Plantar Fasciitis
Chronic tendon conditions like lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and plantar fasciitis are among the most well-studied PRP applications. These conditions involve tendons that have failed to heal on their own. PRP delivers concentrated growth factors directly to the damaged tissue to restart the repair process.
If you have been told to just rest and take ibuprofen for months without improvement, PRP may be the next step.​​​​
ACL, Meniscus, and Ligament Support
PRP can support recovery after ligament sprains and meniscus injuries. While PRP does not replace surgical reconstruction for a complete ACL tear, it can reduce swelling, support tissue healing in partial tears, and improve recovery outcomes after surgical repair. For athletes recovering from ACL reconstruction, PRP is increasingly used as an adjunct therapy to accelerate graft healing and reduce post-operative inflammation. Dr. Petty evaluates each patient individually to determine whether PRP, surgery, or a combination of both is the right treatment plan.
The PRP Injection Procedure: What to Expect
The entire PRP procedure takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes in our Nashville office.
Dr. Petty performs every injection himself. Your PRP procedure is never delegated to a physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
1.
Blood Draw
A small sample (30 to 60 mL) is drawn from your arm, similar to a routine lab draw.
2.
Centrifuge Processing
Your blood is placed in a specialized centrifuge that separates the platelet-rich plasma. Takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
3.
Local Anesthetic
The injection site is cleaned and numbed to minimize discomfort.
4.
Ultrasound-Guided Injection
Dr. Petty uses real-time ultrasound imaging to guide the PRP injection directly into the damaged tissue, ensuring precision placement so the growth factors reach the exact area that needs them.
5.
Observation
You rest in the office for a brief observation period to ensure no adverse reaction. Most patients drive themselves home.
PRP Recovery:
Timeline and What to Expect
The number one question patients ask: "Is it normal to feel worse before I feel better?" The answer is yes. PRP works by triggering a controlled inflammatory response, the body's natural first step in healing.
Week 1
Expect increased soreness, swelling, and stiffness for 3 to 7 days. This is expected and actually indicates the treatment is working. Ice and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help manage discomfort.*
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Weeks 2 to 4
Soreness typically begins to subside. Physical therapy usually starts around day 10 to 14, focusing on gentle range of motion and gradual strengthening. You may begin to notice early improvement in pain levels and function.
Weeks 4 to 8
This is when most patients experience meaningful improvement. Growth factors from the PRP continue stimulating tissue repair and regeneration. Pain relief, improved mobility, and increased function develop progressively.
Months 3 to 6
Maximum benefit is typically reached. Some patients require a second injection depending on severity. If you experience significant pain beyond the first week, contact our office.
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Do not take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin) for at least 2 weeks after your injection. NSAIDs interfere with the inflammatory healing response that PRP is designed to trigger.
PRP vs. Cortisone:
Why Patients Are Switching
For decades, cortisone injections were the default treatment for joint and tendon pain. They provide fast, temporary relief by suppressing inflammation. But cortisone does not heal anything. It masks pain, and repeated injections can actually weaken cartilage, tendons, and surrounding tissue over time. PRP takes a fundamentally different approach.
Cortisone
Suppresses inflammation
Days
Weeks to months
May weaken with repeated use
3 to 4 per joint per year
No (synthetic steroid)
PRP
Stimulates tissue repair
4 to 6 weeks
Months to over a year
Promotes strengthening (up to 40%)
1 to 3 total for most conditions
Yes (your own blood)
How it works
Pain relief onset
Duration of relief
Effect on tissue
Injections needed
Uses your biology
If cortisone shots have stopped providing relief, PRP therapy offers a treatment that works with your body rather than against it.
PRP vs. Stem Cell Therapy: Which Is Right for You?
PRP and stem cell therapy (bone marrow aspirate concentrate, or BMAC) are both regenerative treatments, but they serve different purposes.
PRP Therapy
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Mild to moderate tissue damage
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Tendon and ligament injuries that need accelerated healing
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Early-stage osteoarthritis.
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Stem Cell Therapy (BMAC)
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Advanced cartilage damage
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When PRP alone has not produced sufficient improvement
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When the condition involves bone or deeper structural repair.
Dr. Petty is one of the few Nashville providers who offers both PRP and stem cell therapy, along with full surgical capability. This means your treatment recommendation is based entirely on what your condition requires, not on what the clinic happens to offer.
​Are You a Candidate for PRP?
Ideal candidates for PRP
Chronic joint, tendon, or ligament pain that has not responded to conservative treatment
​Mild to moderate osteoarthritis;
​Partial tendon or ligament tears; patients who want to delay or avoid surgery;
​​Active individuals looking to return to sport or exercise.
PRP may not be appropriate if
You have a blood disorder or platelet dysfunction
You are on blood thinning medication that cannot be paused;
You have an active infection at the treatment site
Your condition requires surgical reconstruction (complete ACL tear, full-thickness cartilage loss, severe joint deformity).
If PRP is not the right fit
Dr. Petty discusses surgical options during the same consultation. You never need a referral elsewhere because Dr. Petty performs both regenerative and surgical procedures.
Cost of PRP Injections in Nashville
PRP therapy is self-pay. Cost depends on the joint being treated, severity of the condition, and whether single or multiple injections are recommended. Dr. Petty discusses pricing transparently during your consultation so there are no surprises.
Single PRP injection
$500 to $1,000
Series of 2 to 3 treatments
$1,000 to $2,500
PRP combined with other regenerative treatments
Varies by protocol
​Compared to the cost of surgery, time off work, and months of rehabilitation, many patients find PRP a cost-effective alternative for conditions that respond to regenerative treatment.
Why Choose Dr. Petty for PRP in Nashville
Board-Certified in Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Fellowship-trained in sports medicine. Orthopedic injection therapy is a core part of his surgical practice, not a wellness menu add-on.
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Tennessee Titans Team Physician. From 2018 through 2026, Dr. Petty was the Head Orthopedic Team Physician for the Tennessee Titans. PRP is a standard treatment in professional sports medicine, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Dr. Petty brings that same level of care and those same protocols to every patient in his Nashville clinic.
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Surgeon-Performed, Ultrasound-Guided. Every PRP injection performed by Dr. Petty personally under real-time ultrasound guidance. Never delegated to a PA, NP, or technician.
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Full Spectrum of Care. From conservative therapy and PRP to arthroscopic and open surgery, Dr. Petty treats your condition across the entire spectrum. Your treatment plan is driven by your diagnosis, not the limitations of the provider.
Patient Reviews
Dr. Petty takes the time to listen to his patients. He is brilliant but is humble enough to take his patients' lifestyle and needs into account when developing a treatment plan. Surgery was recommended to me but I did not want to do that, so we are using injections and it is working wonderfully.
- Healthgrades
Professional yet personable; has done an outstanding job for me (shoulder and bicep) as I am pain free for the first time in a long time. Highly recommend.
- Healthgrades
Dr. Damon Petty listens and pays attention to what I say and the problems I may have concerning my knee. He seems honestly interested in making sure my discomfort is short-lived.
- Vitals
Great expertise and knowledge on where the medicine should be applied and why.
- Healthgrades
PRP Case Study:
Real Patient, Real Results
Patient: A 54-year-old recreational tennis player from Brentwood with persistent lateral knee pain worsening over 8 months.
Diagnosis: Grade 2 chondromalacia of the lateral femoral condyle with mild joint effusion and early osteoarthritis.
Previous Treatment
The patient completed 12 weeks of physical therapy focusing on quadriceps strengthening and patellar tracking. She received two cortisone injections spaced 4 months apart. The first injection provided approximately 6 weeks of relief. The second provided less than 3 weeks. She was told by another provider that knee replacement was her next option.
Why PRP
Imaging showed the cartilage was damaged but not destroyed. The joint space was preserved and mechanical alignment was good. Dr. Petty determined that PRP could reduce inflammation inside the joint, support cartilage health, and potentially delay or eliminate the need for surgical intervention
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Procedure
A single leukocyte-poor PRP injection was performed under ultrasound guidance in-office.
The entire visit took 40 minutes.
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Results at 6 Weeks
Pain decreased from 7/10 to 2/10. The patient resumed walking 2 miles daily without discomfort and returned to modified physical therapy.
Results at 3 Months
Pain stabilized at 2/10. She returned to doubles tennis twice per week with a supportive brace. Stair climbing and prolonged standing no longer produced flare-ups.
Results at 6 Months
Sustained pain relief at 1-2/10 and full return to recreational activity. No additional injections were needed.​​​​
Frequently Asked Questions About PRP Injections
Schedule a PRP Consultation in Nashville
If chronic joint pain, a nagging tendon injury, or early arthritis is limiting your life, PRP therapy may help you avoid surgery and get back to the activities you care about. Dr. Petty sees patients at his Nashville office through Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA) at 8 City Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209. Phone: (615) 329-6600. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
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We serve patients from Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Lebanon, and the greater Middle Tennessee area. Dr. Petty also sees patients who travel for world-class care, some from over 500 miles away, including recent patients from Kansas City, drawn by his specific expertise and reputation.