A Nonsurgical Option Worth Understanding
PRP Therapy for Joint and Tendon Pain That Won't Quit
If physical therapy and other nonsurgical treatments haven't fully resolved a nagging tendon or joint problem, and you'd like to explore additional options before considering surgery, PRP therapy may be worth a conversation with Dr. Anthony Mustovich.
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is prepared from a small sample of your own blood. The blood is processed to concentrate the platelets, and the resulting preparation is injected into the area being treated. Platelets contain proteins and growth factors involved in the body's normal healing response, but whether PRP provides meaningful benefit depends heavily on the condition being treated.
PRP isn't the right treatment for every injury or joint problem, and it isn't a guaranteed fix. Dr. Mustovich uses PRP selectively when the available evidence and your individual diagnosis suggest it may be a reasonable option. Just as importantly, he'll tell you when another treatment is more likely to help.
Request an appointment below to find out whether PRP makes sense for your condition.
Figuring Out If PRP Fits Your Injury
Are You a Candidate for PRP Therapy?
PRP may be considered for certain orthopedic conditions when symptoms persist despite appropriate nonsurgical care. Some of the conditions for which PRP may be discussed include knee osteoarthritis and, in selected cases, certain chronic tendon conditions. The evidence and expected benefit are different for each condition, which is why PRP should not be treated as a one-size-fits-all injection.
Whether PRP makes sense for you depends on the diagnosis, the severity and duration of your symptoms, what treatments you've already tried, your examination and imaging findings, and what you're hoping to get back to doing.
Dr. Mustovich considers PRP alongside other treatment options such as physical therapy, activity modification, medications, conventional injections, and surgery when appropriate. A consultation can help determine whether PRP is a reasonable option for your particular condition, or whether another treatment is more likely to help.
What Happens During a PRP Appointment
What to Expect From Your PRP Treatment
PRP treatment begins with a small blood draw. Your blood is then processed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets, creating the platelet-rich plasma that will be used for the injection.
The PRP is then injected into the area being treated, with ultrasound guidance used when appropriate to help accurately target the intended tendon, joint, or other structure. PRP injections are performed in the office as an outpatient procedure, and you can return home afterward.
The number of injections, if more than one is appropriate, depends on the condition being treated and the treatment plan. Dr. Mustovich will discuss what he recommends, and what you can reasonably expect from treatment, before proceeding.
What to Expect Afterward
Recovery After a PRP Injection
Some soreness, swelling, or discomfort around the injection site is common after PRP treatment and may temporarily make the treated area feel worse before it feels better. Activity recommendations vary depending on the condition and the area being treated, so you'll receive instructions about when and how to gradually resume exercise and other activities.
PRP is not intended to provide immediate pain relief. When patients do experience improvement, it may develop gradually over the following weeks or months. The response varies by condition and by patient, and not everyone experiences meaningful improvement.
PRP is often used as part of a broader treatment plan rather than in isolation, so rehabilitation, activity modification, or physical therapy may also be recommended depending on the condition being treated.
What to Know About Coverage
Understanding the Cost of PRP Therapy
PRP therapy is often not covered by insurance, so many patients choose to pay for treatment out of pocket. Coverage varies by insurance plan and by the condition being treated, and some plans may consider PRP investigational or not medically necessary.
Because PRP is commonly a self-pay treatment, our office works to keep the cost of treatment straightforward and competitive. You'll be told the expected cost before scheduling the procedure so you can decide whether PRP makes sense for you medically and financially.
If you have questions about insurance coverage, you can also contact your insurance carrier directly before treatment.
An Honest Take on What PRP Can Do
What the Evidence Actually Shows
PRP isn't one treatment with the same results for every orthopedic condition. Research suggests that PRP may provide meaningful improvement for some patients with knee osteoarthritis. PRP may also be considered for certain chronic tendon conditions, although the evidence is less consistent and varies depending on the condition being treated.
That's why Dr. Mustovich doesn't recommend PRP simply because an injury involves a tendon, ligament, or joint. He considers the specific diagnosis, available evidence, treatments you've already tried, and your individual goals before deciding whether PRP is worth considering.
When the evidence supports PRP as a reasonable option, it can be incorporated into your treatment plan. When another treatment is more likely to help, Dr. Mustovich will recommend that instead.
The Surgeon Behind Your Treatment Plan
Dr. Anthony Mustovich, Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Anthony Mustovich is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. His background includes more than a decade of service in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and experience treating a broad range of orthopedic and sports-related conditions.
PRP is one of many treatment options available through his practice, alongside physical therapy, medications, conventional injections, arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery, and joint replacement when appropriate. That means the decision to use PRP starts with the diagnosis, not with the procedure.
Dr. Mustovich recommends PRP when he believes the condition and available evidence make it a reasonable option. If another treatment is more likely to help you reach your goals, he'll recommend that instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Heading Goes Here
PRP is used for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, but the evidence and expected benefit vary considerably depending on the diagnosis. In orthopedics, the strongest evidence is for certain patients with knee osteoarthritis. PRP may also be considered in selected cases involving chronic tendon conditions, although the evidence is less consistent and varies by the tendon being treated. PRP is not appropriate for every painful joint, tendon injury, or sports injury. Dr. Mustovich considers the specific diagnosis, available evidence, previous treatment, and your individual goals before recommending it.
It depends on what's causing the knee pain. PRP may help reduce pain and improve function in some patients with knee osteoarthritis, with much of the favorable evidence involving patients with mild to moderate disease. It may also be considered for selected tendon conditions around the knee, depending on the diagnosis and available evidence. PRP does not reverse arthritis or regrow worn cartilage, and it isn't a substitute for knee replacement when arthritis has progressed to the point that surgery is the more appropriate treatment. Dr. Mustovich will evaluate the cause and severity of your knee pain before discussing whether PRP is a reasonable option for you.
PRP is frequently a self-pay treatment because insurance coverage remains limited and varies by plan and diagnosis. Our office works to keep the cost of PRP treatment very competitive and will provide you with the expected cost before you schedule the procedure. If you have insurance coverage questions, you can also check with your insurance carrier to determine whether PRP is covered under your specific plan.
Request an appointment online or call our office to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Mustovich. He'll evaluate your condition, review any appropriate imaging and previous treatments, and discuss whether PRP or another treatment option is most likely to help you reach your goals.