Dr. Zachary Weidner, M.D.

In recent years doctors have learned that the body has the ability to heal itself. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have the potential to use the body's natural growth factors to create a healing environment for certain orthopedic conditions. PRP injections are different from cortisone & steroid injections which do not have any healing potential and instead work as anti-inflammatories to mask the pain.

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INDICATIONS

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PRP injections are a new treatment option still being studied. They have been shown to be most effective for chronic tendinitis conditions such as rotator cuff tendinitis, achilles tendinits, tennis elbow, and patellar tendinitis. There is also some evidence they can help for patients suffering from knee arthritis as well.  

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PROCEDURE

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Once your doctor believes you are a good candidate to benefit from a PRP injection you will need a second appointment to perform the procedure. At the procedure appointment your blood will be drawn in the office and placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelet rich portion of your blood which has the greatest amount of healing growth factors. This portion of your blood is then injected back into your body at the site which is causing you pain to try to activate a healing response. The injection can cause some discomfort for a few days but should not require any time missed from work and patients can usually continue with most of their normal activities. 

 

COST

 

PRP injections are unfortunately usually not covered by insurance (though patients may want to call their insurance companies to ask prior to the procedure). Our office is offering these injections at a cost to the patient of $650 per injection.