PRP Injections. Anyone done them?

[150class]

Went to the doctor for my bicep and was told I have early degeneration in my bicep portion that connects near the elbow area. Luckily for me I’m one of the very few he’s ever seen with it for as young as I am... Doc gave me my 4 options with #1 being PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections. Seems like it’s only been happening the last 2-4 years from some quick google searching. He was a big fan and said His PRP injections for tennis elbow are above 93% healing rate or whatever phrase he used.

Option 2 is 2-3 months of PT and hopefully my workouts don’t cause it to flare up down the road.

Option 3 is surgery followed by PT...

Was curious if anyone here has done it for a similar injury? Sucks that insurance doesn’t cover it.

[peterp63]

No experience to speak to your questions, but what has caused your bicep to degenerate??

[sierracharlie338]

Was recommended that as well by my knee doc. That was until we found out I didn’t have blood circulation in my femur. PRP was taken off the table due to the issue being in the bone not the joint. I was going to have the PRP done until that little gem came up.


Sierracharlie out…

[tradtiger]

Mixed result for my college pitcher son last year. Got two separate treatments on his landing knee about a week apart. First one didn't do much and second treatment held for several weeks -- most of the season -- but pain still returned. Apparently, results are tricky and dependent on precise placement of plasma. It's not cheap either -- could be a couple thousand dollars per treatment. All that said, your doctor may be having legitimately great results with the cases he's handling and the techniques he's using.

[ThisLadyHunts]

I’ve done it twice. Once in my knee (torn meniscus) and once in my foot (torn ligament). I would consider both successful. Have no further issues nor pain in my knee. My foot, however, is about 70%. I had wisely managed my expectations; I was ten years older and the injury was easily ten years old. Took a couple of months before I even began to notice improvement but, each time I think my foot is as good as it’s going to get, I realize more improvement. I doubt I’ll ever be 100% pain free in my foot, but the current pain level is tolerable and has allowed me to return to full physical activity.

Regenerative medicine is cutting edge stuff and still very new. If you decide to do it, I would choose a doctor who specializes in diseases/injuries of the area of your body needing treatment (I.e. a sports med doc, orthopedic doc, etc.) rather than one who specializes in only regenerative medicine. And for the love of god, do NOT go to a chiropractor for this type of treatment! (Yes. Chiropractors offering PRP and stem cell therapy is a thing now!)

[jmw]

I had it done on one of my knees when I was in the Army. If it helped at all it was very minimal. I still ended up having to get surgery. Then again, it was an Army doctor...

[gatt40]

I had it for my elbow last year. Expensive and not covered by most insurances. Lucky my doctor was a college pal and since he was retiring he did it for free. It helped some but not enough due to the damage. After a few months my doctor did surgery to remove bone spurs and chips that were floating around causing pain. That he also did for free. PRP treatment success I guess varies per patient. It might be worth a try for you.

[adam_p]

My brother had it done twice on his tennis elbow. Worked miracles for him it just took 2 treatments. I drove him home after one of them and watched him break out in cold sweats when he moved his elbow like they told him to. It is not a painless procedure.

[ultrastealth]

I have worked with PRP in my practice (periodontics), and it does speed healing, but the effects are short-lived. As far as tennis elbow goes, steroid injections work just fine, are a lot less expensive, and, yes, I'm speaking from experience.

[AlaskaFlyerFan]

Went to the doctor for my bicep and was told I have early degeneration in my bicep portion that connects near the elbow area. Luckily for me I’m one of the very few he’s ever seen with it for as young as I am... Doc gave me my 4 options with #1 being PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections. Seems like it’s only been happening the last 2-4 years from some quick google searching. He was a big fan and said His PRP injections for tennis elbow are above 93% healing rate or whatever phrase he used.

Option 2 is 2-3 months of PT and hopefully my workouts don’t cause it to flare up down the road.

Option 3 is surgery followed by PT...

Was curious if anyone here has done it for a similar injury? Sucks that insurance doesn’t cover it.

Option 4 must be really bad!

Actually, option 1 seems like the easiest way with good results. Are there any side effects?

[150class]

Option 4 must be really bad!

Actually, option 1 seems like the easiest way with good results. Are there any side effects?

Ha!

Cortisol shots was #4 and he didn't recommend masking the pain while I work out in fear of further damage.

Didn't seem like any side effects. Only thing is if they don't work and then its back to option #2 or #3 so...

[150class]

Appreciate all the feedback.

Its not covered under insurance and will cost me 800-1000$ per round. He thinks 1 round should do the trick.

Would hate to drop 1k$ on the procedure just to find out a month or 2 down the road its a no go and then have to do surgery. Heck thats the cost of the new bow I've been wanting!

[bowhuntertx]

Appreciate all the feedback.

Its not covered under insurance and will cost me 800-1000$ per round. He thinks 1 round should do the trick.

Would hate to drop 1k$ on the procedure just to find out a month or 2 down the road its a no go and then have to do surgery. Heck thats the cost of the new bow I've been wanting!

Honestly, this is more than likely what will happen. PRP injections can help, but by no means will it fix/cure your condition. Is this an ortho doc you are seeing?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[150class]

Honestly, this is more than likely what will happen. PRP injections can help, but by no means will it fix/cure your condition. Is this an ortho doc you are seeing?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Correct

[roysmoke]

I had it done on my AC joint as well as my knee after ACL surgery. It has been a complete game changer for me. My AC joint was screwed up for nearly a year before I got PRP. I saw multiple specialist before getting it and it was the only thing that worked. You could hear my shoulder crunch from across the room prior to it and it healed in about 10 weeks after getting it. The guy I used was not cheap and did the process with an ultrasound and was very precise. He also adds traditional prolotherapy to the PRP. It has been over 2 years from getting my shoulder/AC joint fixed and it is still great.