PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections in Castle Rock
What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated preparation made from your own blood. A small blood sample is drawn and processed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and growth factors from the rest of the blood. The resulting concentrate is injected directly into a painful joint, tendon, or other structure.
PRP is not a steroid. It does not simply suppress inflammation the way a corticosteroid injection does. Instead, it delivers a concentrated dose of your own healing factors to the injured area. The response develops over weeks rather than days, but for the right conditions, PRP may provide longer-lasting relief than a steroid injection.
What Does the Evidence Actually Show?
It is important to be straightforward about what PRP can and cannot do. Animal and lab studies suggest PRP can stimulate repair of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in controlled settings. However, there is no firm evidence proving that true tissue regeneration occurs in humans. The strongest human evidence for PRP is in pain relief, not structural repair.
That said, the evidence for pain reduction is meaningful in several conditions:
Strong evidence: Knee osteoarthritis and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Multiple studies show PRP provides pain relief that lasts longer than steroid injections for these conditions.
Promising evidence: Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (hip bursitis), rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial tears, plantar fasciitis, and patellar/Achilles tendinopathy.
Early or limited evidence: Facet joint pain, SI joint pain, and intradiscal PRP for disc-related back pain. These are considered case-by-case after other treatments have been tried.
How is PRP Different from a Steroid Injection?
Steroid injections and PRP injections both treat joint and tendon pain, but they work in fundamentally different ways and are suited for different situations.
A steroid injection suppresses inflammation. It works fast - typically within one to two days - and is covered by most insurance plans. Relief usually lasts weeks to months. Steroids are a good choice when you need quick relief from an acute flare, bursitis, or tendinitis. The tradeoff is that the relief is temporary, and repeat steroid injections carry risks including cartilage thinning over time.
A PRP injection delivers healing factors to promote tissue repair. It works slowly - most patients begin noticing improvement around 3 to 6 weeks, with full effects developing over 2 to 3 months. PRP is a cash-pay procedure and is not covered by most insurance. However, for conditions like knee osteoarthritis, studies show PRP may provide relief lasting 6 to 12 months or longer, which can make it more cost-effective than repeated steroid injections over time.
One important difference: you must avoid anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, and Advil) for at least one week before and four weeks after a PRP injection. NSAIDs interfere with the healing process PRP is designed to support. This restriction does not apply to steroid injections. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is fine throughout.
For many patients, a steroid injection is a reasonable first step because it is fast and covered by insurance. If you find yourself needing repeat steroid injections every few months, PRP may be a better long-term strategy. Dr. Carrera's team can help you decide which approach makes sense for your situation. More about steroid injections is available on the steroid injections page.
Where Can PRP Be Injected?
Knee: Osteoarthritis (strongest evidence), meniscal degeneration
Hip: Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (bursitis), hip osteoarthritis
Shoulder: Rotator cuff tendinopathy, partial rotator cuff tears
Elbow: Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow)
Ankle/foot: Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy
Spine (select cases): Facet joints, SI joints, and intradiscal PRP - considered case-by-case after conservative treatments
How Should I Prepare?
Stop anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for at least one week before the procedure. This includes ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and meloxicam. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is fine to take during this period. The team will advise you on any other medication adjustments.
Wear loose clothing that allows easy access to the injection site. No fasting is required. Plan to take it easy for the first two weeks after the procedure - reduced loading on the treated joint or tendon. Light stretching and working on other parts of the body are fine.
What Happens During the Procedure?
The visit takes about 60 minutes total, though the injection itself takes only a few minutes. A small blood sample is drawn from your arm and processed in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma. The treatment area is cleaned, and the PRP is injected using ultrasound or fluoroscopy (live X-ray) for precise placement. All PRP injections are image-guided.
How Much Does It Hurt?
PRP injections can cause more post-procedure soreness than a standard steroid injection. This is expected - PRP works by triggering a healing response, which involves a temporary increase in inflammation at the injection site. The injection itself is brief and most patients rate it between 1 and 4 out of 10. Soreness typically peaks at 24 to 48 hours and then gradually improves over the following days. This soreness is a normal sign that the treatment is working, not a sign that something went wrong.
What Should I Do After the Procedure?
Avoid strenuous activities for at least 48 hours.
Do not take NSAIDs for four weeks after the injection. This is critical. NSAIDs will interfere with the healing process PRP is designed to promote. Use Tylenol for pain relief if needed.
Perform gentle range of motion and bodyweight exercises for the first two weeks.
After two weeks, gradually increase activity by about 10-20% every few days.
Mild soreness at the injection site is common for the first few days and is expected.
When Will I Feel Better?
PRP works more slowly than a steroid injection. Most patients begin noticing improvement around 3 to 6 weeks, with continued improvement over 2 to 3 months. Some patients do not feel the full benefit until about 3 months out. This is a gradual process, not an overnight fix. If you are looking for immediate relief from an acute flare, a steroid injection will work faster.
How Long Does the Relief Last?
For knee osteoarthritis (the best-studied application), PRP has been shown to provide relief lasting 6 to 12 months or longer in many patients. Duration varies by condition, severity, and individual response. Some patients benefit from a repeat PRP injection annually.
How Much Does PRP Cost?
PRP is a cash-pay procedure and is not covered by most insurance plans. Dr. Carrera's team offers PRP at competitive rates. Call 720-455-3775 for current pricing. Many patients find PRP cost-effective when compared to the cumulative cost of multiple steroid injections and copays over time, especially for patients with high-deductible plans.
Is PRP Right for Me?
PRP may be a good option if:
You have knee osteoarthritis and want something that may last longer than steroid injections
You have a tendon injury (tennis elbow, rotator cuff, plantar fasciitis) that has not responded to rest, therapy, and steroid injections
You want to reduce or eliminate your reliance on repeat steroid injections
You are looking for a non-surgical option that supports healing rather than just suppressing inflammation
PRP may not be the best first step if your primary goal is fast relief from an acute flare. In that case, a steroid injection will work within days and is covered by insurance. The team can help you weigh the options based on your condition, goals, and budget.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in a steroid-free treatment option for joint, tendon, or spine pain, Dr. Carrera's team can discuss whether PRP is appropriate for your condition and answer questions about the process and cost.