Can PRP Help My Joint Pain?

Whether it’s arthritis, an old injury, or normal wear-and-tear causing your joint pain, debilitating pain is the common denominator. 

You’ve probably tried everything from over-the-counter pain relievers to physical therapy. And maybe those things helped — for a while. But if you’re still struggling, you might be wondering: Is there anything out there that can actually heal me?

One treatment that has gained a lot of attention in recent years is PRP (short for platelet-rich plasma). It sounds like science fiction, but it’s one of the most natural therapies available. 

Dr. David Wu and our team at CurePain specialize in PRP therapy and have used it to help our patients with joint pain find lasting relief. 

Let’s dive in. 

What exactly is PRP?

PRP is a concentrated solution made from your own blood. To make it, all we need is a sample of your blood. 

We take your sample and place it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and plasma from the rest of the blood cells. 

The resulting super-concentrated plasma is packed with growth factors and healing proteins. We inject it directly into your painful joint, and the PRP gets to work quickly on your painful, damaged joints. 

It’s a simple in-office procedure, and because PPR comes from your own body, there’s minimal risk of a reaction. 

How does PRP help with joint pain?

Platelets are best known for helping your blood clot, but they also play a key role in healing. They release growth factors that promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. 

When PRP is injected into a damaged joint, those concentrated healing factors go to work, helping to:

• Reduce inflammation
• Support tissue regeneration
• Decrease pain
• Improve joint function over time

Unlike pain meds that simply mask the pain, PRP aims to treat the underlying issue and promote long-term healing. 

What kinds of joint pain can PRP help?

PRP is especially effective for mild to moderate osteoarthritis and soft tissue injuries. We use it to treat: 

• Knee arthritis
• Shoulder pain
• Hip discomfort
• Tennis or golfer’s elbow
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Achilles tendon issues
• Other chronic joint conditions

It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but for many people, PRP can offer relief when other treatments haven’t delivered lasting results. 

What does the procedure involve?

The entire PRP process typically takes 60-90 minutes from start to finish. After we draw your blood and prepare the PRP, we use imaging technology to guide the injection precisely into the affected joint. 

You may experience a minor soreness or swelling at the joint site for a day or two, but downtime is minimal. Most people are back to their usual routine within a couple of days. 

Some patients experience improvement within a few weeks, but results tend to develop gradually over several months as the body continues to heal. 

Is PRP right for you?

PRP isn’t for everyone, but you could be a candidate if:

• Conservative treatments have failed
• You want to delay or avoid surgery
• You want a natural approach to pain relief
• You aren’t a candidate for steroid injections or want to avoid them

Dr. Lopez and our team evaluate your condition, medical history, and lifestyle to determine if PRP makes sense for your treatment plan. 

Chronic joint pain doesn’t have to be a life sentence. PRP offers a promising alternative for people who want real, lasting relief without surgery or long-term medication use.

If you’re tired of managing symptoms and ready to explore your body’s ability to heal itself, call our friendly staff or use our online booking tool to schedule a consultation today.

You’ve got options — and PRP might just be the one that gets you moving again.