PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

Direct answers — no jargon.

If your question isn’t here, ask us at your consultation. We will give you the same answer in plain English.

• Is PRP covered by insurance?
  Most insurance plans do not currently cover PRP for musculoskeletal conditions, considering it experimental for some indications. We provide transparent self-pay pricing during your consultation. CareCredit and similar financing options are available.
• How is PRP different from cortisone?
  Cortisone reduces inflammation but does not promote tissue healing — and repeated steroid injections may degrade tendon and cartilage tissue over time. PRP delivers concentrated growth factors that support biological repair, with effects that build over weeks to months and tend to be more durable.
• How is PRP made?
  We draw a small amount of your blood (about the volume of a routine blood test), spin it in a sterile centrifuge to concentrate the platelets and growth factors, and then inject the resulting plasma into your injured tissue under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance.
• What conditions respond best to PRP?
  PRP has the strongest evidence in tendinopathy — particularly tennis elbow, patellar tendinopathy, and rotator cuff partial tears — and in mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis. We will tell you honestly when the evidence does not support PRP for your specific condition.
• How long until I notice a difference?
  PRP works on biological timeframes. Most patients notice improvement over several weeks, with continued improvement over the following months; individual timing varies. It is not an overnight fix; it is a healing response we are amplifying.
• Will I need more than one injection?
  Some conditions respond to a single injection; others benefit from a series of two or three injections, typically spaced 4–6 weeks apart. We discuss the likely course at your initial consult and adjust based on response.
• Should I stop my anti-inflammatory medications?
  Yes — typically we ask you to stop NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, etc.) and aspirin for 7 days before and 2–4 weeks after PRP, as directed by your provider. Anti-inflammatories blunt the very inflammatory cascade we are trying to harness for healing.
• What is recovery like?
  Most patients have mild soreness at the injection site for 2–4 days. There are no formal activity restrictions — most patients resume normal activity as comfort allows, guided by their provider. Many patients combine PRP with structured physical therapy to optimize results.
• Is PRP the same as stem cell therapy?
  No. PRP uses concentrated platelets and growth factors from your own blood. Stem cell therapy refers to a separate category of biologics with different (and currently more limited and more carefully regulated) evidence. We offer PRP and discuss other biologic options honestly when patients ask.
• Will PRP help me avoid joint replacement?
  For mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis, PRP can meaningfully reduce pain and delay the need for replacement. For severe end-stage osteoarthritis, PRP is unlikely to provide enough benefit and we will tell you so. Our goal is to help you make the decision with accurate information.