Tendon and Joint Injuries: What the NHS Advises, What NICE Says About PRP and When to See a Doctor

Injury not settling? Talk to a doctor about your options. Message us on WhatsApp, book a consultation or call 020 3951 3429.

Start with the basics that work

The NHS says a mild tendon injury can often be managed yourself and should feel better within 2 to 3 weeks: rest the tendon for 2 to 3 days, apply an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours, and support the area with a snug bandage or soft brace (NHS: Tendonitis). It advises avoiding sport until the tendon has recovered, and keeping the joint gently moving once pain allows so it does not stiffen.

When to see a doctor

- Symptoms have not improved within a few weeks (NHS advice to see a GP).

- Severe pain, or you think you have ruptured a tendon, for example a pop or snap during an accident or activity. The NHS says to get help from NHS 111.

- You cannot put weight on the limb, or swelling and heat are increasing.

In many areas you can also refer yourself to NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services for physiotherapy without a GP referral (NHS).

What the NHS pathway can offer next

If pain is severe, lasts a long time or limits movement, the NHS says you may be offered physiotherapy. Some people with severe tendonitis may be offered steroid injections, which may give short-term pain relief. If physiotherapy does not help, you may be referred to an orthopaedic specialist, and surgery may be considered to remove damaged tissue or repair a ruptured tendon (NHS).

Want a second opinion on a stubborn injury? Message us on WhatsApp, book a consultation or call 020 3951 3429.

Where does PRP fit? The honest answer

PRP is made from a small sample of your own blood, concentrated and injected at the injured site. NICE has reviewed it. For tendinopathy, NICE says the evidence raises no major safety concerns but that evidence on efficacy remains inadequate, and that the procedure should be used with special arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit or research (NICE HTG299: autologous blood injection for tendinopathy). For knee osteoarthritis, NICE says the same on safety, and that efficacy evidence is limited in quality (NICE HTG497: PRP injections for knee osteoarthritis).

That means PRP is not a guaranteed fix and is not a replacement for rehabilitation. It can be a reasonable option for some people who have not improved with a good physiotherapy programme and want to explore it with a doctor who is open about the uncertainty. We will tell you if we think it is not right for you.

What our doctors will do

- Diagnose the problem first, so you are treating the right structure.

- Review what you have already tried, including physiotherapy, and what is missing.

- Explain the NICE position on PRP and the free NHS routes in plain English.

- If PRP is suitable, agree a plan and review points. Joint and tendon PRP at The Wellness is £750 per session.

Checklist before you book

- Note when the injury started, what you were doing and what makes it worse.

- Bring any scan or physiotherapy reports.

- List medicines, especially blood thinners and anti-inflammatories.

- Write down your goal, such as a return to a named sport by a named date.

- Ask about rehab alongside any injection. Loading exercises are part of the plan.

How to start

A consultation with one of our doctors is £59 by phone (15 minutes), £150 by video or £220 in person at Unit 4, 10 Portman Square, London W1H 6AZ.

Frequently asked questions

Does PRP work for tendon injuries?

NICE says efficacy evidence for tendinopathy remains inadequate, with no major safety concerns. Results vary and it is not a guarantee.

Can I have PRP on the NHS?

NICE says it should only be used with special arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit or research, so availability is limited.

How long does a mild tendon injury take to settle?

The NHS says a mild injury should feel better within 2 to 3 weeks with self-care.

Should I keep training?

The NHS advises avoiding sport until the tendon has recovered. A doctor or physiotherapist can guide a safe return.

Ready to talk to a doctor? Message us on WhatsApp, book a consultation or call 020 3951 3429.

Written by The Wellness Team and medically reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team. This article is for information only and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.