Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections in Castle Rock

Medical author: Eduardo Carrera, MD. Double Board‑Certified in Pain Medicine & Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

PRP is a minimally invasive procedure that concentrates your own platelets and growth factors, then delivers them to a painful or injured area to help modulate inflammation and improve pain.

How PRP Works

Platelets are rich in growth factors that help reduce inflammation and stimulate the body’s natural healing response. Animal and basic science studies suggest that PRP can stimulate the repair of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in laboratory settings. However, there is no firm evidence proving regeneration occurs in humans. Instead, the current human evidence for PRP is in pain relief.

What Conditions are Treated with PRP

  • Best-supported: Knee osteoarthritis; lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).

  • Promising: Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (bursitis); rotator-cuff–related shoulder pain (tendinopathy/partial tears); plantar fasciitis; patellar/Achilles tendinopathy.

  • Early / limited: Facet or SI joint pain with PRP; intradiscal PRP for discogenic pain. Consider only case-by-case after conservative care.

How to Prepare for a PRP Injection

Wear loose clothing to allow easy access to the injection site. Dr. Carrera’s team will advise you on any necessary medication adjustments before the procedure.

Avoid anti-inflammatory medications (such as NSAIDs) for at least one week before and two to four weeks after the injection, as these can interfere with PRP’s healing process.

Plan to “take it easy” for the first 2 weeks after the procedure. That means reduced loading on the joint or target during that time. Light stretching or working on other parts of the body is ok.

Procedure Overview for PRP Injection

  • Visit length: typically about 60 minutes; the injection itself is 2–5 minutes. Your blood will be drawn and processed in a sterile fashion in a centrifuge. This yields the platelet-rich-plasma.

  • Guidance: all injections are performed with X-ray guidance or ultrasound for precision and safety.

  • Comfort: most patients report mild discomfort (often 1–4/10). You’ll feel a small pinch at the skin and brief pressure. Dr Carrera uses small needles and local anesthetic to maximize comfort.

Aftercare following a PRP Injection

  • Avoid strenuous activities for at least 48 hours following the procedure.

  • Do not take anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for four weeks after the procedure to allow PRP to work effectively.

  • Mild soreness at the injection site is common and typically resolves within a few days.

  • Perform gentle range of motion and body-weight exercises for the first two weeks.

  • Gradually increase weight or exercise duration by 10–20% every few days after the initial two-week period.

What to expect after PRP injection

·       Improvement often begins by 2–6 weeks and can continue over 3–6 months (condition‑dependent).

·       Duration varies; 6–12+ months is common in knee osteoarthritis. If relief wanes, PRP can be safely repeated.

·       We’ll reassess your progress at 6–12 weeks. Dr. Carrera does not routinely recommend a series unless there’s a clear clinical reason.

Guidance, Pricing, and Insurance

Most insurance plans do not cover PRP injections, as they are considered an investigational treatment. However, Dr. Carrera’s office offers affordable pricing options, with most joint or tendon PRP injections being $1000 or lower, while spinal PRP injections generally cost $1200 to $1600.

Want to see if PRP is right for you?

If you are experiencing chronic spine, joint, or tendon pain, and are wondering if a PRP injection is the right treatment for you, a consultation with Dr. Carrera and his team can help determine your eligibility.

Patients are encouraged to call the office at 720-455-3775 to schedule a visit and learn more. We serve Castle Rock and neighboring areas (Parker, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, and South Denver).

PRP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1.       How painful is PRP?

Most patients report mild discomfort (often 1–4/10). We use local anesthetic and small needles to maximize comfort.

2.       When will I feel better?

Often by 2–6 weeks, with gains over 3–6 months.

3.       How long does it last?

Varies by condition and activity level; 6–12+ months is common in knee osteoarthritis.

4.       Can PRP be repeated?

Yes. If benefit fades, we may consider another injection at 6–12 months depending on your goals and exam findings.

5.       Is PRP better than steroid or hyaluronic acid?

  • If you are interested in a natural treatment, then PRP is best (it is your own blood).

  • If you are looking for fastest relief, then steroid injections are better (PRP can take 2-6 weeks, steroids within 2 days).

  • If you have milder arthritis or are concerned about steroid side effects, then PRP is better.

  • If you have severe knee arthritis, then steroid or hyaluronic acid may be a better option.

6.       Do I need to stop my medications?

We’ll personalize this. Many patients pause non‑selective NSAIDs; Tylenol is OK. Ask us about COX‑2 inhibitors and any blood thinners.

Selected References

  1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Technology Overview: Platelet-Rich Plasma for Knee Osteoarthritis. 2021–2022.

  1. Belk JW, et al. Comparative Efficacy of PRP vs Hyaluronic Acid for Knee OA. Am J Sports Med. 2021”

  2. Xu Y, et al. PRP vs Corticosteroid for Lateral Epicondylitis. Am J Sports Med. 2024.

  3. Kao DS, et al. Common Medications and PRP Function. Orthop J Sports Med. 2022.

  4. Leach T, et al. PRP in Patients on Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets. Sports Med Arthrosc Rev. 2024.

  5. Xie X, et al. Intradiscal PRP for Lumbar Disc Disease (Systematic Review & Meta-analysis). 2025.

Last reviewed: October 05, 2025