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Injections & Orthobiologics

PRP for the Hip, With Honest Expectations

Does PRP work for hip arthritis or hip tendon pain?

A PRP hip injection uses platelets concentrated from your own blood and injected into the hip joint or a damaged tendon. Studies suggest PRP may ease pain for mild to moderate hip arthritis and gluteal tendinopathy, though results vary and research is still evolving. PRP does not regrow cartilage, and insurance usually does not cover it.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is made from a small sample of your own blood, spun down to concentrate platelets and their growth factors. It appeals to active people who want to avoid steroids or delay surgery. Dr. Stride offers PRP for selected hip problems and will tell you clearly when it is unlikely to be worth the cost.

Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Stride, MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeon
Last reviewed October 2026
Active older adult playing pickleball

At a glance

Also called
platelet-rich plasma hip injection, PRP for hip arthritis, PRP for gluteal tendon, orthobiologic hip injection
Typical recovery
Months 6 to 12
Ask about PRP Hip Injection →(713) 555-0168

Is PRP Hip Injection right for you?

Usually a good fit if

  • Mild to moderate hip arthritis in active adults
  • Gluteal tendinopathy on the side of the hip that has not improved with a full course of therapy
  • People who prefer to avoid repeated steroid injections
  • Runners, golfers and dancers looking for a non-surgical option between seasons

Another option may be better if

  • Severe bone-on-bone arthritis or collapse of the femoral head, where PRP is unlikely to help
  • Blood or platelet disorders, active cancer, or infection
  • Anyone who cannot stop anti-inflammatory medicines around the injection

What happens, step by step

  1. Preparing for PRP

    Stop NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen about a week before, since they can blunt platelet activity. Acetaminophen is fine. Drink plenty of water the day before and the morning of.

  2. Blood draw and processing

    A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm, similar to a lab test. It spins in a centrifuge for about 15 minutes to separate and concentrate the platelets.

  3. Ultrasound-guided injection

    The skin is numbed and Dr. Stride guides the needle with ultrasound into the hip joint or directly into the damaged area of a gluteal tendon. The full visit usually takes about an hour.

  4. One or more treatments

    Many patients have a single injection. Some protocols use 2 or 3 injections a few weeks apart, depending on the condition and response.

Typical recovery timeline

Days 1 to 3

Soreness and stiffness are common as the PRP triggers a healing response. Use ice and acetaminophen, and keep activity light.

Weeks 1 to 2

Avoid NSAIDs and hard training. Walking and gentle range of motion are encouraged.

Weeks 2 to 6

Physical therapy restarts or progresses. Tendon injections need careful, gradual loading.

Weeks 6 to 12

This is when most people who respond notice the change. Improvement can keep building for several months.

Months 6 to 12

Dr. Stride reviews how you are doing. Some people repeat PRP, while others move to a different plan.

Timelines are typical ranges. Your plan depends on your hip, your health and what was done in surgery.

“PRP is a reasonable option for the right hip, and I want you to choose it with your eyes open. It makes the most sense in earlier arthritis and in tendons that have stalled, and a hip that is worn through needs a different answer. If I do not think it will help you, I will not recommend it.”

Dr. Stride, MD

Frequently asked questions

Is PRP for the hip covered by insurance?

Most insurance plans, including Medicare, do not cover PRP injections for the hip. Our team gives you the full cost before treatment so there are no surprises. HSA and FSA funds can often be used.

How long does PRP last in the hip?

In people who respond, relief often lasts several months to a year, sometimes longer. Results vary with the severity of arthritis or tendon damage. PRP does not stop arthritis from progressing.

Is PRP better than cortisone for hip bursitis?

For long-standing side-of-hip pain from gluteal tendinopathy, some studies suggest PRP may give longer-lasting relief than cortisone, which tends to work faster but fade. The research is still mixed. Exercise therapy remains the foundation either way.

Can PRP help a hip labral tear?

PRP has been studied for labral tears, but the evidence is limited. It does not heal a torn labrum back to the bone. For a symptomatic tear, therapy comes first and arthroscopy is considered if it fails.

Related treatments

Injections

Cortisone Hip Injection

A cortisone hip injection places a corticosteroid and numbing medicine directly into the hip joint, guided by ultrasound or X-ray.

Read more →Injections

Trochanteric Bursa Injection

A trochanteric bursa injection places cortisone and numbing medicine over the bony point on the outside of the hip to calm hip bursitis and gluteal tendon pain.

Read more →Non-surgical

Hip Physical Therapy

Physical therapy helps many types of hip pain, including arthritis, gluteal tendinopathy, hip impingement and many labral tears.

Read more →Preservation

Gluteus Medius Tendon Repair

Gluteus medius tendon repair is a surgery that reattaches the torn hip abductor tendons to the outside of the hip bone, done endoscopically or through a small open incision.

Read more →Compare

Cortisone vs PRP

Cortisone and PRP hip injections work differently.

See the comparison →

Hip pain this can help with

Hip pain · Outside of hip

Pain on the Outside of the Hip

Pain on the outside of the hip is most often greater trochanteric pain syndrome, an irritation of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons and the bursa over the bony point of the hip.

Causes & treatment →Hip pain · Back of hip

Pain in the Back of the Hip and Buttock

Pain in the back of the hip and buttock most often comes from the lower back, such as a pinched nerve or sciatica, or from the sacroiliac joint.

Causes & treatment →
SourcesReferences used for this page3

Medically reviewed by Dr. Stride, MD against current guidance from these sources. Last reviewed October 2026. How we write and review content

  1. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) (opens in a new tab) AAOS OrthoInfo
  2. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP Injection): What It Is & Uses (opens in a new tab) Cleveland Clinic
  3. Efficacy and Safety of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Intra-articular Injections in Hip Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials (opens in a new tab) PubMed Central (PMC)
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