PRP Injections in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is a PRP injection?
A PRP injection is a treatment in which a small sample of your blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate out the platelets, the cells that help blood clot and release growth factors involved in healing. The concentrated platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the painful joint or around the affected tendon. Because it comes from your own blood, there is very little risk of an allergic reaction.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, PRP injections are given by the orthopedic team as one option within a wider treatment plan, alongside exercise and other approaches, after an assessment confirms the cause of your pain.
Who needs it
PRP injections are considered for people with ongoing joint or tendon pain that has persisted despite a well-structured exercise programme and other standard treatment. The main uses are:
- Knee osteoarthritis, particularly mild to moderate arthritis, to help ease pain and improve function.
- Tendon problems that have been slow to recover, such as tennis elbow and some cases of pain in the tendon below the kneecap.
PRP works best as part of a plan, and it is most useful where the diagnosis is clear. In knee arthritis it is most often considered at the earlier stages, while the joint still has a reasonable cartilage layer; in advanced arthritis, other treatments usually offer more. Your specialist explains how PRP compares with other options for your condition, including exercise therapy, steroid injections and, for advanced arthritis, joint replacement. The wider assessment of joint pain is covered on the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine page.
What happens
A PRP treatment session takes about an hour. A nurse or doctor takes a blood sample from your arm, similar to a routine blood test, and the sample is placed in a centrifuge that separates the platelet-rich layer. While this is prepared, the injection site is cleaned.
The doctor injects the PRP into the joint or around the tendon, often using ultrasound guidance to place it accurately. A local anaesthetic may be used in the skin to make the injection more comfortable. You rest briefly afterwards and then go home the same day.
PRP is prepared in different ways by different systems, which vary in how concentrated the platelets are and whether white blood cells are included. These differences are one reason research studies on PRP report different results, and your specialist can tell you how the preparation used for you is made.
Depending on the condition, PRP is given as a single injection or as a short course of injections spaced a few weeks apart. Your specialist explains the planned course before you begin.
Preparing for it
Drink plenty of water and eat normally on the day, which makes the blood sample easier to take. Your doctor may ask you to avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers for a period before and after the injection, because they can affect how platelets work; paracetamol is usually fine for pain relief, and your doctor confirms what applies to you. Tell the team if you take blood thinners.
Wear loose clothing that allows easy access to the joint being injected, and arrange a lift home if the injection is into a knee or ankle, since the area may be sore afterwards.
Afterwards
The treated area is often sore and swollen for a few days after a PRP injection, which is a common reaction to the injection itself. Rest the area for a short time, use ice and the pain relief your doctor recommends, and then return gradually to normal activity. Continuing the exercise programme matters, because PRP works alongside strengthening rather than replacing it. Any improvement tends to develop gradually over the following weeks, and your specialist reviews your progress at a follow-up appointment.
Contact the hospital if the injected area becomes increasingly red, hot and swollen, or if you develop a fever, which can signal an infection. Seek urgent care straight away if a joint becomes severely painful, hot and swollen with a high temperature after an injection.
Cost and insurance
PRP injections are frequently excluded from UAE health insurance plans, because insurers classify them as a treatment with limited evidence for many uses, so many patients pay for them directly. Check your policy before booking, and ask for a written quotation covering the whole planned course. The consultation and any imaging used to assess your joint are usually covered separately. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Does PRP work?
The evidence for PRP is mixed and depends on the condition. For knee osteoarthritis, some studies show improved pain and function compared with other injections, while results for tendon problems vary between studies and between tendons. Your specialist explains what the evidence shows for your specific problem before you decide.
Can PRP regrow cartilage?
PRP does not regrow worn cartilage or reverse arthritis, and it will not change how the joint looks on an X-ray. Its aim is to ease pain and improve function, and any benefit is usually temporary, lasting months rather than permanently.
What are the risks of PRP injections?
PRP injections carry a small risk of infection, bleeding, nerve irritation and a temporary increase in pain and swelling at the injection site. Because PRP comes from your own blood, allergic reactions are very rare. Your doctor explains how these risks apply to you.
How many PRP injections will I need?
Some conditions are treated with a single PRP injection and others with a short course of injections spaced a few weeks apart. Your specialist explains the planned course, and any further injections depend on how you respond.
Is PRP better than a steroid injection?
PRP and steroid injections work differently: a steroid injection often gives faster short-term pain relief, while PRP may give a slower but longer-lasting improvement for some conditions. Which is better depends on the condition, and your specialist helps you choose.
Is PRP covered by insurance?
PRP injections are often excluded from UAE insurance plans and are usually paid for directly, although the consultation and imaging are normally covered. Check your policy and ask for a written quotation for the full course, and confirm the details with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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