What Is PRP Therapy?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a cutting-edge regenerative treatment that uses a concentrated preparation of your own blood to accelerate healing in damaged joints, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues.
Platelets — tiny cells in your blood — contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors that are essential to the healing process. By delivering a high concentration of these growth factors precisely to the site of injury or degeneration, PRP stimulates tissue repair, reduces inflammation, and supports the body’s natural regenerative capacity.
At Sweetwater Pain and Spine, all PRP injections are performed under ultrasound or fluoroscopic (x-ray) guidance to ensure precise, safe delivery to the target structure.
How Is PRP Prepared & Administered?
The entire process is performed right here in our clinic and typically takes 45–60 minutes from start to finish. Here’s what to expect:
No steroids. No surgery. No foreign substances. PRP uses only what your own body already produces — amplified and precisely delivered to where healing is needed most.
What to Expect After Treatment
PRP works by triggering a natural healing response, which means results develop gradually over weeks to months — not overnight. Most patients benefit from a series of 1–3 injections spaced several weeks apart, depending on the condition being treated.
Conditions Commonly Treated with PRP
PRP therapy is particularly well-suited for musculoskeletal conditions where tissue degeneration, chronic inflammation, or insufficient blood supply limits the body’s natural healing. Common indications include:
Knee Osteoarthritis
Reduces joint pain and inflammation while supporting cartilage health, potentially delaying the need for knee replacement.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Promotes healing of partial thickness tears and chronic tendinopathy of the shoulder, improving strength and reducing pain.
Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow
Addresses chronic lateral and medial epicondylitis that has not responded to physical therapy or cortisone injections.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Stimulates tendon repair and collagen remodeling in chronic Achilles tendon pain and degenerative tendinosis.
Hip Pain & Osteoarthritis
Targets bursitis, labral issues, and early-to-moderate hip arthritis to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Plantar Fasciitis
Accelerates recovery from chronic heel pain and plantar fascial degeneration resistant to conservative care.
Sacroiliac Joint & Low Back Pain
Supports healing of spinal ligaments and soft tissues contributing to chronic low back and SI joint pain.
Other Joint & Tendon Conditions
PRP can be applied to many other areas including the wrist, ankle, finger, and facet joints. Ask your provider if your condition may benefit.
Why Choose PRP at Sweetwater Pain and Spine?
PRP therapy represents a meaningful advancement in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain — offering a biologic, non-surgical option for patients seeking durable relief. Key advantages include:
- Uses your own blood — no risk of allergic reaction or rejection
- Stimulates true tissue healing and regeneration, not just symptom masking
- Avoids the side effects associated with repeated corticosteroid injections
- Minimally invasive with little to no downtime
- Can potentially delay or eliminate the need for surgery
- All injections performed under image guidance for precision and safety
- Delivered by board-certified Pain Medicine specialists with fellowship training
- Especially valuable when physical therapy or medications have provided insufficient relief
Insurance Coverage Note: PRP therapy is currently classified as an elective regenerative procedure and is not typically covered by health insurance plans. It is offered on a self-pay basis. Our team is happy to discuss pricing and answer any questions during your consultation.
Is PRP Right for You?
If you’re living with chronic joint, tendon, or soft tissue pain and haven’t found lasting relief, PRP therapy may be an excellent next step. Our specialists will evaluate your condition and help determine whether PRP is a good fit for your individual situation.