One of our clients, whom we’ll call Sarah (not her real name) was 52 when her knee started betraying her. Not dramatically at first—just a slight stiffness getting out of bed, a twinge when she climbed stairs. But over months, that twinge became a constant ache that made her dread her morning runs.
“You have arthritis,” her orthopedist said, pointing to the X-ray. “We can try some physical therapy, maybe a cortisone shot. But honestly, at your age, this is just something you’ll need to manage.”
Sarah left that appointment feeling like her active life was over at 52. Sound familiar?
What If Your Body Could Fix Itself?
Here’s something most people don’t realize: your blood contains powerful healing compounds right now. Platelets—those tiny cells that stop bleeding when you get a cut—are packed with growth factors that tell your body to start repairing damaged tissue.
The problem is, chronic injuries often don’t get enough of these healing signals to the right place. That’s where Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy comes in.
Think of it this way: if your body’s natural repair system is a whisper, PRP turns up the volume to a shout.
The Real Story Behind PRP
I’ll be straight with you—PRP isn’t magic. It’s not going to turn your 60-year-old joints into those of a 20-year-old. But research shows it can help, and for many people, it offers something traditional medicine often doesn’t: the possibility of actually healing instead of just managing symptoms.
A 2023 review of clinical studies found that about 60-70% of people with certain shoulder injuries saw meaningful improvement after PRP treatment. Not perfect results, but real improvement in how they felt and what they could do.
The key word here is “certain” conditions. PRP works better for some problems than others.
When PRP Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
Let me paint you two pictures:
Meet Janet, 45, weekend warrior: She’s dealt with tennis elbow for eight months. Physical therapy helped some, but the pain keeps coming back. She’s active, healthy, and the injury isn’t too severe. Janet is probably a good candidate for PRP.
Meet Robert, 72, with bone-on-bone knee arthritis: His cartilage is gone, and he can barely walk around the block. Robert might benefit more from discussing knee replacement with his surgeon than trying regenerative treatments first.
The sweet spot for PRP seems to be:
- Tendon problems like tennis elbow or Achilles issues
- Early to moderate arthritis (before the cartilage is completely gone)
- Injuries that haven’t healed properly with time and physical therapy
Here’s what the research tells us works less reliably:
- Severe arthritis with major cartilage loss
- Complete tendon tears (these often need surgical repair)
- Problems that are more mechanical than inflammatory
What Actually Happens During Treatment
The process is surprisingly straightforward. We draw about the same amount of blood you’d give for routine lab work—maybe two or three small vials. While you wait (usually about 15 minutes), that blood spins in a centrifuge to separate the different components.
What we’re after are those platelets, concentrated into a golden-colored solution that’s about 3-5 times richer in growth factors than your regular blood.
The injection itself takes just a few minutes. Most people say it feels like getting a vaccine shot. Some areas are more sensitive than others—injections into joints tend to be more uncomfortable than those into tendons.
After treatment, you might feel sore for a day or two, like you overdid it at the gym. That’s normal. Your body is getting the signal to start repairing itself, which can cause temporary inflammation.
Let’s Talk About What Could Go Wrong
Every medical procedure has risks, and I’d be doing you a disservice not to mention them. With PRP, serious complications are rare because we’re using your own blood—your body recognizes everything in that injection.
The most common side effects are temporary soreness and bruising where we injected. Some people experience a flare-up of their original pain for a few days as the healing process kicks in.
Infection is possible with any injection, but it’s uncommon when proper sterile technique is used—we’re talking less than 1% chance.
More concerning would be if you have certain medical conditions. People with blood disorders, active cancer, or severe immune system problems usually aren’t good candidates. Same goes if you’re on blood thinners or certain other medications.
The Honest Truth About Results
Here’s what I wish more providers would tell patients upfront: PRP doesn’t work for everyone, and when it does work, it’s rarely a complete cure.
Most people who respond well report something like this: “My pain went from an 8 out of 10 to about a 3 or 4. I can do most of the things I want to do again, but I’m still aware of the problem.”
That might not sound revolutionary, but for someone who’s been living with chronic pain, it can be life-changing.
The benefits usually become noticeable around 4-6 weeks after treatment, with maximum improvement at about 3 months. For some people, the relief lasts 6-12 months. Others need repeat treatments.
And yes, some people don’t respond at all. That’s the frustrating reality of medicine—there’s no treatment that works for everyone.
Beyond PRP: When We Need Bigger Guns
Sometimes PRP alone isn’t enough. That’s when we might discuss stem cell therapy or newer treatments like exosome therapy.
Stem cells are your body’s master repair cells—they can potentially develop into cartilage, bone, or other tissues depending on what you need. The research is still evolving, but early results are promising for people with more severe cartilage damage.
Exosome therapy is even newer. Think of exosomes as tiny messenger packets that carry healing instructions between cells. It’s fascinating science, though we’re still learning exactly how and when it works best.
These treatments are more expensive and less studied than PRP, but they might be options for people who don’t respond to simpler approaches.
What About Just Having Surgery?
Look, sometimes surgery is the right answer. If you have a mechanical problem—like a loose piece of cartilage floating around your joint—no amount of growth factors is going to fix that. You need someone to go in and clean things up.
Surgery might also make sense if:
- Your pain is severely limiting your life
- Conservative treatments have failed
- You have a complete tear that needs repair
- Your joint is so damaged that replacement is inevitable
The advantage of trying regenerative medicine first is that it doesn’t burn bridges. If PRP doesn’t help, you can still have surgery later. But once you’ve had surgery, that’s a one-way street.
The Money Question
Let’s be honest—this stuff isn’t cheap, and most insurance companies don’t cover regenerative treatments yet. They’re still considered experimental for most conditions.
You’re probably looking at $500-1500 per PRP treatment, depending on where you live and what exactly you’re having done. Stem cell treatments can run several thousand dollars.
That’s real money, and you need to weigh it against other options. Physical therapy might cost less upfront but could take longer to help. Surgery might be covered by insurance but comes with bigger risks and longer recovery.
Finding the Right Provider
Not all PRP is created equal. The equipment, techniques, and expertise vary widely between providers. Here’s what to look for:
You want someone with proper medical credentials—preferably a physician who specializes in orthopedics, sports medicine, or physical medicine and rehabilitation. Be wary of providers who promise guaranteed results or claim their treatment is dramatically superior to everyone else’s.
Good providers will:
- Thoroughly evaluate whether you’re a good candidate
- Explain what the research shows for your specific condition
- Discuss all your options, including non-regenerative treatments
- Give you realistic expectations about outcomes
- Have a plan for follow-up and outcome assessment
Our Approach at InfusaLounge
Under the supervision of Dr. Phyllis J Gee, we take an evidence-based approach to regenerative medicine. Dr. Gee brings both traditional medical training and functional medicine expertise to help patients understand all their options.
We’re not here to oversell regenerative treatments or pretend they’re miracle cures. Some patients are great candidates; others aren’t. Some conditions respond well; others don’t. Our job is to help you figure out where you fit and what makes sense for your situation.
What we can promise is an honest conversation about what the science shows, what you can realistically expect, and how regenerative medicine fits into the bigger picture of treating your pain.
The Bottom Line
Regenerative medicine isn’t going to solve everyone’s chronic pain problems. But for the right people with the right conditions, it offers something valuable: the possibility of actually healing rather than just coping.
If you’re dealing with chronic pain that’s limiting your life, and conservative treatments haven’t gotten you where you want to be, it might be worth exploring. Just make sure you’re working with qualified providers who will give you the straight story about what to expect.
Your body has remarkable healing abilities. Sometimes it just needs the right support to do what it’s designed to do.
Ready to Learn More?
Curious whether regenerative medicine might help your situation? We’d be happy to have an honest conversation about your options.
InfusaLounge Wellness Spa
190 E Stacy Road, Suite #1720, Allen, TX 75002
Phone: 972-546-4318
We believe in giving patients the information they need to make decisions that are right for their lives.
Note: Dr. Phyllis J Gee, MD, and the InfusaLounge medical team, medically reviewed this article.
About Dr. Phyllis J Gee, MD: Dr. Gee is Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and holds additional training in functional medicine. She graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed her residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Gee provides medical oversight for regenerative medicine treatments at InfusaLounge, ensuring patient safety and evidence-based care.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is educational only and doesn’t replace professional medical advice. PRP and regenerative therapies are investigational treatments with varying results. Always consult with a qualified physician about your specific situation.
References
- Mishra A, Skrepnik NV, Edwards SG, et al. Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma for chronic tennis elbow: a double-blind, prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial of 230 patients. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(2):463-471.
- Xiong Y, Gong C, Peng X, et al. Efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023;10:1204144.
- Hurley ET, Lim Fat D, Moran CJ, Mullett H. The efficacy of platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Sports Med. 2019;47(3):753-761.
- Herber A, Covarrubias O, Daher M, et al. Platelet rich plasma therapy versus other modalities for treatment of plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Foot Ankle Surg. 2024;30(4):285-293.
- Belk JW, Kraeutler MJ, Houck DA, et al. Platelet-rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Sports Med. 2021;49(1):249-260.
- Chen X, Jones IA, Park C, Vangsness CT Jr. The efficacy of platelet-rich plasma on tendon and ligament healing: a systematic review and meta-analysis with bias assessment. Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(8):2020-2032.
Note: This article presents current research findings as of 2025. Medical research is constantly evolving. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers for the most current information and personalized medical advice.
source https://infusalounge.com/prp-and-regenerative-therapies-your-bodys-natural-solution-for-chronic-pain-and-joint-recovery/
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