Longevity & Regenerative Medicine
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses a concentrate of platelets from your own blood. Platelets carry growth factors that play a role in the body’s natural healing. Injected into an injured or worn area, PRP may help reduce pain and support repair in knees, shoulders and the heel.
Experience
Dr. Verma has offered PRP therapy since 2018
Guidance
Ultrasound guidance when needed
Areas we treat
Knee, shoulder and plantar fascia (heel)
Is it right for me?
We do not treat hip joints or the spine. PRP may not be right for you if you have an active infection, a current cancer (especially of the blood), a bleeding or platelet disorder, a very low platelet count or severe anemia, or are pregnant. Some blood thinners may need review. Every patient is evaluated by Dr. Verma before treatment.
1
Dr. Verma reviews your history, examines the area and your imaging, and decides whether PRP is a good fit.
2
A small amount of your blood is drawn, like a routine lab test.
3
Your blood is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. This takes about 15–20 minutes.
4
The area is cleaned and numbed, and the PRP is injected, with ultrasound guidance when needed for precise placement.
PRP is used most often for tendons and joints where healing is slow because blood supply is limited.
PRP is injected into the knee joint. Studies suggest it may reduce pain and improve function for many people, and some compare it favorably with hyaluronic acid (“gel”) injections.
PRP is placed in or around the rotator cuff tendons for tendinopathy or partial tears. It may help pain and function, often alongside physical therapy.
PRP is injected into the thick band under the heel. Some studies suggest longer-lasting relief than steroid injections, though results vary.
We have ultrasound in the clinic and use it when needed to see the joint or tendon and guide the needle precisely.
Our technology
For some joints and tendons, seeing the target on ultrasound helps place the PRP exactly where it is needed and avoid nearby structures. Research suggests ultrasound-guided joint injections are more accurate than injections guided by landmarks alone.
Dr. Verma decides at your visit whether ultrasound guidance will help for your specific injection.
Weighing it up
Preparing and recovering
Call us if you have increasing redness, warmth, fever or severe pain, which may be signs of infection.
Results
Results vary from person to person and are not guaranteed.
Good to know
Stop about 5–7 days before and for about 2 weeks after: anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), meloxicam, diclofenac and celecoxib. They may blunt the platelet response.Talk to us first: aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban and other blood thinners. Never stop these without your prescribing doctor’s approval.Avoid if possible: steroid pills or steroid injections in the treated area for 2–3 weeks before and after.Usually fine: acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain.Some supplements, such as high-dose fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo and garlic, may increase bruising. Tell us what you take.
Active infection, fever or skin infection near the areaCurrent cancer, especially blood cancers, or cancer treatmentBleeding disorders, low platelets or platelet dysfunctionSevere anemiaPregnancyA recent steroid injection in the same areaHip and spine conditions: we do not treat these areas
The centrifuge systems used to prepare PRP are FDA-cleared medical devices. PRP itself comes from your own blood and is not a drug. Using PRP injections for joint, tendon and heel conditions is not FDA-approved for these specific uses; it is offered based on your physician’s judgment. PRP is widely used, including at major academic medical centers.
PRP is also used in aesthetics and sexual wellness. See the Vampire Facial®, PRP filler, PRP hair restoration, the O-Shot® and the P-Shot®.
The research
PRP has been studied in many clinical trials. Evidence is strongest for knee osteoarthritis and some tendon problems, and research is ongoing. Here are some published reviews you can read.
Links open external websites. Lifestyle Physicians is not affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine or UVA Health, and these links do not imply their endorsement.
We numb the skin first. You may feel pressure and a brief ache during the injection, and soreness for a few days afterward.
Many people need 1–3 injections, a few weeks apart. Dr. Verma will recommend a plan based on your condition and response.
For people who respond, relief may last 6–12 months or longer. Some people repeat treatment.
PRP tends to work best for mild to moderate arthritis. It is less likely to help severe, bone-on-bone arthritis.
Possibly. Do not stop it on your own. We review your medicines and coordinate with your prescribing doctor.
No. We treat knees, shoulders and the plantar fascia. We are happy to refer you for other areas.
PRP is usually self-pay. We give you the price before treatment.
Rest the area for about 48 hours, then return to gentle activity. Avoid heavy loading for a few weeks, and follow your home exercise or physical therapy plan.
About peptides, PRP and ozone. Many of these treatments are not FDA-approved for the uses described, and research on them is still developing. Peptides are prescribed only after a consultation and are prepared by a licensed U.S. compounding pharmacy. We will explain what is known, what isn’t, and the risks before you decide. Individual results vary. Medical disclaimer.
