Non-Surgical PRP Joint Injections – A Better Alternative to Cortisone Shots
Joint pain has a way of gradually becoming part of everyday life. Old injuries, repetitive movement, sports, work, workouts, getting older. Eventually something starts hurting and just never fully settles back down.
A lot of people end up cycling between anti-inflammatory medication, rest, cortisone shots, braces, and trying not to aggravate it.
Sometimes that works. Sometimes it helps for a few weeks and comes right back.
Activity and exercise can take their toll. Medications and steroid injections have their limitations and side effects. PRP utilizes the natural anti-inflammatory and restorative properties of your own platelets to help directly promote healing of injured joint tissues and tendons. More than reduce inflammation, PRP actually stimulates the cells and cellular pathways that can lead to reduced pain and improved function.
PRP joint injections are a newer non-surgical option that approaches things differently.
PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. The treatment uses concentrated platelets from your own blood, which are then injected into the injured joint or tendon area. The goal is to help calm inflammation while also supporting the body’s natural healing response within the damaged tissue itself.
PRP has been used in sports medicine for years, including for professional athletes dealing with tendon injuries and chronic joint pain.
At Just You Aesthetics, Dr. Stephen Spain offers PRP joint treatment for knee pain, shoulder pain, elbow injuries, tendonitis, and other chronic joint conditions.
Some insurance plans may cover portions of the consultation or related services depending on your specific benefits.
Knee Pain Treatment with PRP Injections
Knees tend to take a beating over time.
Arthritis, old sports injuries, physically demanding jobs, years of workouts, repetitive movement. Even small issues can eventually turn into constant irritation and inflammation inside the joint.
PRP knee injections are commonly used for:
- Osteoarthritis
- Meniscus irritation
- Patellar tendonitis
- Chronic inflammation
- General wear-and-tear knee pain
The injection places concentrated platelets directly into the irritated area to help support healing and reduce inflammation inside the joint.
PRP knee treatment has become especially popular among athletes trying to recover from injuries without immediately jumping to surgery.
Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff Injuries
Shoulder injuries are extremely common, especially in patients who lift weights, work overhead, throw regularly, or have physically demanding jobs.
PRP shoulder injections may help with:
- Partial rotator cuff injuries
- Shoulder impingement
- Tendon irritation
- Chronic inflammation
- General shoulder pain and stiffness
Rotator cuff injuries can be frustrating because tendons do not heal especially quickly on their own. Blood flow to those tissues is limited, which is part of why shoulder pain can drag on for months.
PRP works by delivering concentrated growth factors directly into the injured tissue.
For some patients, it may help delay or avoid more invasive treatments like rotator cuff surgery.
Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow Treatment
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are both repetitive-use tendon injuries around the elbow joint.
Tennis elbow affects the outside of the elbow. Golfer’s elbow affects the inside.
Despite the names, these injuries are not limited to athletes. They are common in people who lift, grip tools, type constantly, work with their hands, or do repetitive arm movement throughout the day.
Tendon injuries can be stubborn partly because tendons have poor blood supply compared to other tissues in the body.
That is part of why PRP treatment has become increasingly popular for chronic tendon irritation and elbow pain.
Wrist, Thumb and Tendon Pain – PRP for Tendonitis
PRP can also be used for chronic tendon irritation involving the wrist, thumb, and hand.
This may include:
- Wrist tendonitis
- Thumb tendon pain
- Repetitive-use injuries
- Chronic tendon inflammation
These injuries are especially common in patients whose jobs or hobbies involve gripping, lifting, typing, tools, or repetitive hand movement.
Tendons heal slowly. That is one reason these injuries can linger for months without fully resolving.
What to Expect After a PRP Joint Injection
Some soreness after treatment is normal for the first couple of days.
Most patients are advised to take it easy initially and avoid strenuous activity for several days afterward.
Dr. Spain’s office may also recommend temporarily avoiding:
- Hot tubs
- Saunas
- Heating pads
- Heavy lifting
- Intense exercise
Detailed aftercare instructions will be reviewed during your appointment depending on the joint being treated.
Does Insurance Cover PRP Joint Treatment?
Insurance coverage for PRP joint treatment varies depending on the plan and the condition being treated.
In some cases, portions of the consultation, evaluation, or related services may be covered. Coverage for the injections themselves is more variable.
Dr. Spain’s office can help review your benefits beforehand, so you have a clearer idea of potential coverage and out-of-pocket costs before treatment.
Contact Dr. Spain at Just You Aesthetics
Call Just You Aesthetics in Tyler at (903) 426-1023 to learn more about PRP joint pain treatment.