What PRP is
Platelets are the cells in your blood that start the repair process after an injury. They carry growth factors that signal the surrounding tissue to calm inflammation and rebuild. Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is made by drawing a small amount of your blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets, and injecting that concentrate into the joint or tendon that is not healing on its own.
Because it is made from your own blood, allergic reaction is not a concern. It is not a drug or a steroid, so it can be used in tendons where repeated cortisone would weaken the tissue.
We use PRP for two groups of problems:
- Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, particularly in active patients who want to postpone surgery and have had limited or short-lived benefit from cortisone or gel injections.
- Tendon injuries that have lasted more than a few months: tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer's elbow, Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy without a full tear, and stubborn plantar fasciitis.
How our physicians do it
- One visit. Blood draw, centrifuge spin and injection all happen in one appointment of about 45 to 60 minutes.
- Ultrasound guidance. The doctor uses ultrasound to see the joint space or the damaged part of the tendon and place the PRP exactly there.
- A short series. Most patients have one to three injections, spaced four to six weeks apart. Tendons often need more than one; a knee sometimes responds to a single injection.
- Timing with other treatment. PRP is not combined with cortisone in the same area; after a steroid injection the doctor waits several weeks.
Does insurance cover it? No. PRP is not covered by Medicare, Medicare Advantage or commercial insurance, and we do not bill it to your plan. It is a self-pay service. Health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) can usually be used. The consultation where the doctor decides whether you are a candidate is a normal office visit and is covered as one. The front desk gives you the self-pay cost in writing before anything is scheduled. Read more about insurance and self-pay.
What to expect
- Before the visit, stop anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin taken for pain for one week, because they interfere with how platelets work. Acetaminophen is fine. Tell us about blood thinners.
- At the consultation, the doctor examines the joint or tendon, reviews imaging and confirms whether PRP is a sensible option for you.
- The procedure. Blood is drawn from your arm, spun for about 10 to 15 minutes, and injected under ultrasound after the skin is numbed. Tendon injections can be quite uncomfortable for a minute or two.
- Afterward, expect the area to be sore and possibly more painful for two to five days. Rest the area for a few days, then return to gentle activity. Stay off anti-inflammatories for one to two weeks.
- Follow-up at four to six weeks. Improvement builds gradually over four to twelve weeks, so the result is judged then, not in the first week.
| What it treats | Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis; elbow, Achilles, patellar and rotator cuff tendon injuries; plantar fasciitis |
|---|---|
| Visit length | About 45 to 60 minutes, blood draw to injection |
| Typical course | One to three injections, four to six weeks apart; results build over four to twelve weeks |
| Downtime | Two to five days of soreness; ease back over one to two weeks |
| Coverage | Not covered by insurance; self-pay, HSA and FSA eligible |
Who it suits and who it does not
The best candidates have mild to moderate arthritis on X-ray, or a tendon problem confirmed on exam or ultrasound, and are willing to give the treatment two to three months to work. PRP is a poor choice for advanced bone-on-bone arthritis, where there is little tissue left to respond, and for a completely torn tendon, which needs a surgical opinion. It is not offered to patients with an active infection, a blood or platelet disorder or active cancer. The doctor will say plainly if you are not a good candidate.
PRP compared with cortisone and gel injections
Cortisone is covered by insurance and works within days, but relief usually fades in weeks to a few months and repeated doses can weaken tendons and cartilage. Gel injections are covered for knee arthritis when the criteria are met, take a few weeks to work and often last several months, but do nothing for tendons. PRP is self-pay and slower to act, but in many patients the relief lasts longer, and it is the only one of the three suited to tendons. Results vary with all three, and the honest answer for many knees is a covered option first, with PRP considered if that is not enough.
How many injections will I need?
Usually one to three, four to six weeks apart. The doctor assesses after each one and does not schedule more if there has been no change by the second.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
In most cases, yes. PRP is a physician-administered treatment for a diagnosed condition, which HSA and FSA plans generally allow. Check with your plan administrator if you are unsure.
Why is PRP not covered by insurance?
Medicare and commercial payers still classify PRP for arthritis and tendon injuries as investigational, so they do not reimburse it. We are upfront that it is self-pay.
Which clinic offers PRP?
Both. PRP is prepared and injected at Davie for Broward County and at Boynton Beach for Palm Beach County. Book a consultation online, and the front desk will explain the self-pay cost before your visit.