PRP Injections for Voice and Throat Disorders

Voice disorders can affect many aspects of daily life, including communication, work, confidence, and social interaction. Some people notice gradual voice changes over time, while others develop symptoms following infection, surgery, heavy voice use, or injury.

Your consultant may recommend PRP injections if you experience symptoms such as:

• ongoing hoarseness

• vocal fatigue

• reduced vocal power or projection

• breathy or weak voice quality

• throat discomfort when speaking

• difficulty sustaining your voice for long periods

• increased effort needed to speak

PRP therapy may be particularly helpful when traditional treatments, such as voice therapy or medication, have not fully improved symptoms.

Because PRP uses your own blood products, the treatment is generally well tolerated and carries a low risk of allergic reaction. Some patients may require more than 1 injection, especially if there’s significant vocal fold damage or scarring.

Before treatment, you’ll have a consultation with a specialist laryngologist. During this appointment, your consultant will discuss your symptoms, medical history, and voice concerns in detail. They’ll also examine your throat and vocal folds using an endoscopic examination of the larynx and pharynx.

If PRP treatment is suitable for you, the procedure will be performed as an outpatient treatment in our dedicated Ear, Nose and Throat centre.

The procedure involves several steps:

1. A small blood sample is taken from your arm.

2. The blood is processed using the Arthrex ACP system to separate and concentrate the platelets and growth factors.

3. The prepared PRP solution is carefully injected into the vocal folds.

4. Your consultant monitors you for a short time afterwards before you return home.

The treatment takes approximately 1 hour in total, including blood collection, preparation time, injection, and monitoring afterwards.

Your consultant will explain exactly how the treatment is delivered and whether any local anaesthetic is needed.

PRP injections for voice and throat disorders are considered safe when performed by an experienced specialist. Because the treatment uses your own blood, there’s no risk of rejection or transmission of disease.

However, as with any throat procedure, there are some potential risks and side effects. These are usually mild and temporary.

Possible risks include:

• temporary throat discomfort

• mild swelling

• minor bleeding

• temporary worsening of voice symptoms

• infection

• bruising at the blood collection site

• discomfort when swallowing

Rarely, more significant irritation or inflammation of the vocal folds may occur.

Your consultant will discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with you before proceeding and answer any questions you may have.

There’s usually very little preparation needed before PRP injections.

Your consultant may advise you to:

• stay well hydrated before your appointment

• avoid smoking before and after treatment

• inform them of any medications you take

• avoid certain anti-inflammatory medicines before treatment, if advised

You should also tell your consultant if you have:

• a bleeding disorder

• an active infection

• recently started blood-thinning medication

• significant medical conditions affecting healing

Most people return home shortly after treatment and recover quickly following PRP injections.

Your consultant will advise you on how long to rest your voice after the procedure. Voice rest is an important part of recovery and helps support healing within the vocal folds.

You may notice mild throat discomfort or temporary hoarseness for a short period afterwards, but this usually settles within a few days.

Following treatment, your consultant may recommend:

• reducing heavy voice use for several days

• avoiding shouting or prolonged speaking

• drinking plenty of fluids

• avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol

• attending follow-up appointments

• voice therapy with a speech and language therapist, if appropriate

Some patients notice gradual improvements in their voice over several weeks as the vocal folds heal and regenerate. In certain cases, repeat injections may be recommended to achieve the best possible outcome.

At Welbeck, PRP injections for voice and throat disorders are available on a self-pay basis only.

Treatment is priced at:

• £840 per treatment

• £3,145 for a package of 4 treatments

These prices are fully inclusive of the consultant’s charges.

Your consultant will discuss whether a single treatment or a course of injections is most appropriate for your condition.

At Welbeck, our ENT specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book PRP injections for voice and throat disorders, you must first have a consultation with one of our specialist laryngology consultants. Self-referrals for direct treatment are not accepted.

If you would like to arrange a consultation with one of our ENT specialists, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

This treatment is currently available to self-paying patients only. Packages are available for patients who may benefit from multiple treatments.