How soon can I walk after a PRP injection?

Most patients walk out the same day. Limit activities for 24 to 48 hours depending on the joint treated.

The blood draw feels like a standard lab draw. The injection involves brief discomfort, minimized by local anesthetic. Post-injection soreness is common for 3 to 7 days.

How long does PRP take to work?

It depends upon the area treated. Arthritic joints see rapid improvement after a few days of soreness, while chronic tendinitis may take six weeks to see improvement. Maximum results are reached between a few weeks to months as growth factors continue stimulating tissue repair.

What is the difference between PRP and stem cell therapy?

PRP concentrates platelets from blood to deliver growth factors. Stem cell therapy (BMAC) concentrates cells from bone marrow that can develop into new tissue. PRP suits mild to moderate conditions; stem cell therapy addresses more advanced damage. Dr. Petty offers both.

Does insurance cover PRP injections?

Most insurance plans do not cover PRP. It is a self-pay procedure. Transparent pricing is provided during consultation.

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.

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.

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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.

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

Knee Pain and Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is the most common reason patients seek PRP therapy. If your knee pain has progressed beyond what physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications can manage, PRP injections can reduce inflammation, promote cartilage health, and improve mobility. For patients with early-to-moderate knee arthritis, PRP often delays the need for joint replacement surgery. Many patients experience meaningful pain relief within 4 to 6 weeks.

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.

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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.

Blood Draw

A small sample (30 to 60 mL) is drawn from your arm, similar to a routine lab draw.

Centrifuge Processing

Your blood is placed in a specialized centrifuge that separates the platelet-rich plasma. Takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

Local Anesthetic

The injection site is cleaned and numbed to minimize discomfort.

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.

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.*

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.

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

Mild to moderate tissue damage
Tendon and ligament injuries that need accelerated healing
Early-stage osteoarthritis.

Stem Cell Therapy (BMAC)

Advanced cartilage damage
When PRP alone has not produced sufficient improvement
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.

SCHEDULE A PRP CONSULTATION WITH DR. PETTY

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.

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.

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.

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

Procedure

A single leukocyte-poor PRP injection was performed under ultrasound guidance in-office.

The entire visit took 40 minutes.

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

In many cases, yes. PRP can effectively treat conditions that would otherwise require surgical intervention, particularly mild to moderate osteoarthritis, partial tendon tears, and chronic tendinopathy. However, some conditions such as complete ligament tears or severe joint deformity still require surgery. Dr. Petty is both a regenerative medicine provider and an orthopedic surgeon, so he provides an honest assessment of which approach is best for your specific condition.

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.

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.

SCHEDULE A PRP CONSULTATION WITH DR. PETTY

PRP Injections in Nashville, TN:
Dr. Damon H. Petty

What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?