PRP is also a Game-Changer for Shoulders, Elbows, Hips and Feet

Our number one application for platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections is knee osteoarthritis.

Yet, shoulder osteoarthritis, rotator cuff and labral problems also respond very favorably to PRP.

Tennis elbow and golfers’ elbow are great applications of PRP.

Hip osteoarthritis, insertional gluteal tendonopathy and bursitis of the hip are commonly treated with great success with PRP.

Finally, in the foot and ankle, osteoarthritis, particularly of the big toe joint, Achilles tendonopathy and plantar fasciitis are common conditions we treat with PRP.

For a tendon problem, why would you choose PRP over a steroid/cortisone injection?
With a PRP injection, we use your own platelets to stimulate healing and tissue regeneration by releasing growth factors. It aims to repair the tendon, not just reduce symptoms. Steroid injections can lead to tendon degeneration or even rupture with repeated use, while PRP is safer for tendon tissue, especially with chronic degenerative tendon conditions.

What about in the case of osteoarthritis? Here’s a table that highlights the differences.

Factor PRP Steroid

Onset of relief Slower (weeks) Fast (days)

Duration of Relief Months to years Weeks

Cartilage effects Potentially protective Potentially harmful

Side effects Minimal Possible systemic and local issues

Disease-modifying? Likely No

Are you interested in improving your quality of life? Reducing your pain? Improving your function? Are you seeking the healing of damaged tissues? Stopping or slowing the deterioration of your joints? If so, then PRP is likely a very good option for you.

As always, let us know if we can be of assistance!

F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.

PRP Means Prevention

If there is a relatively low-risk and minimally invasive option for cancer prevention, would you choose to do it? If there is a similar option to reduce your risk of heart disease, would you do it? These would be potentially life-saving measures.

Now in the case of orthopedics, we are talking more about quality-of-life saving measures. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of those options.

We know that PRP is very beneficial in terms of reducing symptoms and improving function in most patients, yet did you know that it has also has a preventative benefit? Slowing the deterioration within your joint, particularly of the articular cartilage, is a benefit of the PRP.

How does being in less pain sound? What about being able to go up and down stairs much more easily? What about being out to enjoy longer walks and hiking? What about enjoying your grandkids with less pain during and afterwards?

What about more fulfilling trips to the gym? What about using fewer prescription medications to manage your symptoms? These are the goals of PRP, especially when we are treating osteoarthritis. When we are treating most tendon problems like of the rotator cuff, tennis/golfer’s elbow, lateral hip and the Achilles, the goal of PRP is not only to feel better, but actual healing.

This week, we repeated PRP on a patient with moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) that last had PRP with us 5 years ago. Her benefit has lasted that long. This week we updated x-rays on a patient with knee OA and noted that in the last 2 years, his x-rays have not changed. This means no substantial loss of cartilage. In contrast, the average OA patient is losing 4%-6% of cartilage per year. What if we can change that to 0%-2%? Would you take it? If so, come see us, as we’re doing more PRP than ever, and the results remain very promising.

F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.