Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

An injection can be administered through multiple processes. The physician will inject the steroids into the area known as the ‘epidural space’, this is located between the inner surface of the vertebral column and the outer layer of the spinal cord. In some cases, a flushing solution may be required to remove inflammatory proteins from the space that can be a source of pain.

The procedure is implemented with sedation. If used, patients will be monitored for an extended amount of time following the injection before being discharged. It is recommended for patients to rest on the day of the treatment. Regular activities can recommence the next day.

This treatment has a 50 percent success rate. If pain persists after the first injection, it is not recommended to have further ones. If patients experience minor improvements, continued injections may be necessary.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a cutting-edge, non-surgical treatment designed to harness the body’s natural healing power. By using concentrated platelets from your own blood, PRP promotes lasting relief for musculoskeletal injuries, joint problems, and chronic pain.

When the body experiences injury, platelets rush to the damaged site to release growth factors and begin the healing process. PRP amplifies this response by delivering a highly concentrated dose of platelets directly to the injured area, enhancing tissue repair, reducing inflammation, and accelerating recovery.

PRP is composed of platelets, plasma proteins, and powerful growth factors essential for tissue regeneration and joint stabilization. A therapeutic concentration contains more than one billion platelets per milliliter. At California Pain Management Center, our PRP formulations achieve a 7–10x higher concentration than whole blood, ensuring optimal results.

PRP has long been used by professional athletes to speed recovery and avoid surgery. Today, it offers patients of all activity levels a proven method to heal injuries more thoroughly, reduce pain, and restore function.

The treatment process is simple, safe, and typically completed in under an hour:

1. Blood Draw – A small sample of your blood is collected.
2. Centrifugation – The blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate platelets and plasma from other components.
3. Preparation – The platelet-rich portion is further refined to achieve the highest concentration possible.
4. Injection – Using ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance, the PRP is injected into the targeted joint, tendon, ligament to ensure precision delivery.

Most patients resume daily activities shortly after the procedure. Some temporary swelling or soreness at the injection site is normal and reflects the body’s healing response. Relief often begins within 2–4 weeks, with the greatest improvements occurring at 4–6 weeks and continuing for several months.

To support optimal healing, we recommend avoiding NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen), as they can interfere with the inflammatory response needed for PRP to work. Acetaminophen is typically allowed for discomfort.

• Minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure
• Uses your body’s natural healing factors
• Very low risk of complications
• Minimal downtime with quick return to daily activities
• Long-lasting pain relief supported by extensive clinical research

Studies show PRP can be more effective than corticosteroid injections or hyaluronic acid for conditions such as knee osteoarthritis. In many cases, PRP can delay the need for surgery altogether.

PRP has been shown to successfully treat a wide range of injuries and degenerative conditions, including:

• Knee: osteoarthritis, patellar tendinosis
• Shoulder:rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, ligament sprains
• Foot & Ankle: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, arthritis
• Elbow/Wrist/Hand:tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, arthritis, tendonitis
• Spine/Back:degenerative disc disease, facet joint arthritis, SI joint dysfunction
• Hip: labral tears, bursitis, hamstring injuries, arthritis

For many patients, one PRP treatment combined with rehabilitation is enough to restore function within 6–8 weeks. More severe or long-standing injuries may require additional sessions. Your physician will design a treatment plan based on your individual condition.

PRP is ideal for patients who have not found relief with traditional treatments such as steroid injections, physical therapy, or bracing—and for those looking to avoid or delay surgery. Because PRP uses your own blood, rejection is not an issue and side effects are minimal.

Currently, most insurance providers and Medicare do not cover PRP therapy. Our office staff will review costs, answer your questions, and discuss available payment options.

Conor Fowler, MD, is a physician specializing in pain medicine, sports medicine, interventional spine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. At California Pain Medicine Center in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Fowler treats a wide spectrum of painful conditions including complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), back and neck pain, and sports-related injuries.

His clinical focus includes spine interventions for neck and low back pain, musculoskeletal injuries, and comprehensive pain management. He is trained in advanced modalities such as epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild) and regenerative medicine with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and other orthobiologics.