Can PRP help a torn meniscus?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses concentrated platelets from your own blood to support the body’s healing response. For some meniscus tears, especially smaller tears that are not root tears, PRP may help reduce pain and support a return to activity without surgery. Heather, a Michigan triathlete, received PRP from Dr. Thomas Nabity for a meniscus tear and went on to finish the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. Results vary from person to person.
At Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine, we work with amazing patients who are each on their own journey toward a better, more active life. One recent patient has a story we felt was worth sharing on our blog. Her name is Heather, and what she has done over the past few years is nothing short of amazing.
Heather: an Ironman athlete facing a career-ending injury
Heather has been an avid athlete for years, and her dream for the past decade was to compete in the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, the sport’s top race. It is so elite that athletes must qualify to compete.
To qualify, Heather raced IRONMAN Florida in November 2025, her first full-distance race. An Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run. Heather had knee pain the entire race but pushed through and finished with the best time in her age group.
Back home and still in pain, Heather worried she might never race competitively again and that her dream of finishing Kona was over. In true Heather fashion, she wasn’t ready to give up. After consulting with Dr. Thomas Nabity, she decided that PRP (platelet-rich plasma) could give her a chance to compete at Kona despite her meniscus tear.
Why PRP made sense for Heather
Heather received a PRP injection from Dr. Nabity in December 2025, ten months before Kona. According to Dr. Nabity, PRP made sense for Heather for two main reasons:
- Heather was extremely fit, which meant her body was well positioned to heal.
- Her tear was superficial, not a root tear, and this type of meniscus tear tends to respond well to PRP.
Heather says she trusted Dr. Nabity’s judgment because of his years of experience and a doctor–patient relationship that goes back many years.
2026: the comeback year
After her PRP injection, Heather went right to work training for Kona. There were a few small setbacks along the way, but for the most part she trained with very little pain. PRP takes time to reach its full effect, and Heather understood that throughout her training. As race day approached, she and her trainer scaled back from roughly 25 hours a week to 10 to 15 hours a week to protect her body.
Race day in Kona
Heat, humidity and strong wind made for tough conditions on race day. Thousands of the world’s most competitive triathletes took part in the race this past October, and we’re proud to report that Heather finished the entire race with no knee pain at all.
In Heather’s own words: “I made it to the finish line thanks to Dr. Nabity and my coaches and my trainers.”
Be more like Heather
Whether or not you’re a triathlete, we can all learn a lot about perseverance and grit from Heather. If PRP helped Heather get through an Ironman, think about what it might help you get back to. Maybe you want more time playing with your grandkids, or you’d love to pick up a racquet again for tennis or pickleball. Whatever it is, our team wants to help you be more active and enjoy life again.
To learn whether PRP may help your knee or another sports injury, reach out to our clinic today.
Heather’s experience is her own. Every patient is different, and results vary from person to person.
Call our Rochester Hills office at (248) 216-1008 or our Grand Rapids office at (616) 288-1109, or request a consultation online.
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