non surgical repair

i dont care so much about after needle
i am concerned as to how long the needle is in me
and 2 does it hurt when it is in me?
my doctor also said i cannot have any novicane or lidocane
that i have to do it without any numbness
why/i havent a clue

Back to report on my progress…. There was no progress at all, more of a regress! The PRP did not work for me at ALL it only made me more swollen than ever!

I hope its working for everyone else! I haven’t heard anything but praise about this procedure and am very upset it was unsuccessful for me… On to the next treatment options…

PRP does work but there are varying methods of prep and proper application is important. Some PRP kits attempt to isolate the platelets in plasma w/o WBCs (white blood cells) but platelet concentrations tend to be lower.

Another method is to isolate platelets using higher centrifugal settings which causes a higher platelet concentration but leaves WBCs in the mix (may or may not be good).

In the case of planar fasciosis, you need the WBCs to help initiate the inflammatory response. However, planar fasciitis indicates inflammation is already occuring so WBCs may not be good. So, proper diagnosis w/ proper treatment could be a reason why some arent seeing the benefits.

If you are wondering whether PRP works I will tell you that there is plenty of literature suggesting that PRP can be helpful in numerous would healing situations, and this is based on platelets containing several growth factors. If you do a search on pubmed you will find many publications stating such.

Here is a quick review of platelet science from a colleague of mine.

“A large family of growth factors have been functionally identified in the wound he

When I first went to “Weight Bearing As Tolerated”, my heel really complained about holding me up. Even at first in the boot, but then again in 2 shoes and barefoot, especially on hard floors, and especially-squared on rough surfaces or (God Forbid) while stepping on a phone cord or any other “hazard”!

When I told my PT, he suggeted that I sit with a golf ball under my heel and roll the ball around with my heel, as a self-deep-massage therapy. It seemed to help.

I see a lot of of plantar fasciitis stories here. The best treatment for me was a deep tissue massage . The massage therapist, in addition to working on the rest of my body, spent a good portion of time on my feet. She really dug deep into the tendons. Having someone dig their thumbs into the bottom of your feet is not the most pleasant feeling , especially when you have PF!! but for some reason this helped. After about 6 sessions the PF pain dropped off by 98%.
Rolling my foot over a golf ball for a few minutes a day has helped keep the PF away.

Gregx

I’ve had plantar fasciitis for 3 yrs. Pursued all modes of treatment for it, ie Endoscopic fasciotomy, ESWT, phys therapy, cortisone, etc. with no perm relief. In Nov ‘09, rec’d 1st PRP injection; helped tremendously. In May ‘10, rec’d 2nd; didn’t help at all. In June ‘10, rec’d 3rd and final PRP injection from an orthopedist; this time, using ultrasound (1st MD did not use ultrasound for 1st 2 injections.) Too early to tell if it’s helped; still in the walking boot. Good to read other’s experience here. Given 1st one helped, I”m hopeful this third one will as well.

Lisa from February 22, 2010.

How are you progressing? I had PRP in my right elbow 2 weeks ago and had basically the same reaction as you. Please tell me there is hope and it was all worth it.

I recieved a PRP injection to my right achilles four days ago. Prior to the injection my doctor put me in a boot for a week to try to calm the area down a bit. The injection was not bad at all. The blood draw was the hardest part of the procedure as they couldn’t seem to find a vein. It was extremly sore through the night and really bad in the morning. But after that, the pain has gone away and the swelling is nearly gone. It seems from what I’ve been reading, that the pain associated with the procedure is very much an individual experience. My doctor emphasized heavily that I was to be inactive as much as possible for the first week to allow the Platlets to get in there, swell the area, and activate the bodies healing mechanisms. I will then be in the boot for three to four weeks. My doctor was honest in telling me that this procedure will not work for everyone, but he sees about a 90% success rate in his practice. 16 years ago I ruptured the left achilles. Even if this takes six months to repair , it beats a full blown achilles rupture recovery.

I just recieved a PRP shot in my quadricep tendon on fri, 3 days ago. It hurt pretty bad during shot, but only took 30 seconds. My dr. didnt give me any after care details like I hear about you guys doing. My quad is pretty sore now, and I am trying not to bend it cause that hurts and i want it to heal. I had a partial tear in my quad tendon for the last year. I am open to any advise. Thanks

Katie,

Please, keep us posted about your PRP progress.
I wasn’t convinced about PRP and my Doc. nether - so I didn’t get any.
My logic based on:
1. PRP cause inflammation that is explained as repairing process - I have had enough inflammation that no need to cause more that it was / is
2. PRP on tendons wasn’t proven as it was for other tissue repair - especially for tissues that had not have inflammation around it - so PRP triggers that process

Norm- thanks for the response. I have had an on-going ankle problem for a few years now. I had arthroscopic surgery last summer which didn’t help and I personally feel only created more damage as all of most of my problems are soft tissue related.

I am now a patient at HSS ( so i know i am in good hands ) and they want to do anything they can to treat me without doing another surgery as it will increase the tissue problems. I had steriod injections a few months ago under ultra sound and they helped for a few months and I had the PRP because the pain came back. This weekend I was on my feet more than I have been in the past few weeks and I am in a lot of pain - I came across this thread when searching for the amount of time it takes most people to find relief post PRP. The procedure, as I said, was the most painful thing I have ever felt. I had it done in the office - there were complications with drawing my blood (they had to try 8 times in different spots before we finally had enough).

We’ll see how I progress!

Katie, the PRP is only a minor and unproven add-on to the non-surgical ATR therapy. AFAIK, not ONE of the four randomized prospective trials used PRP — the studies that found the non-surgical therapy produced results just as good as the operation, and without the complications.

I went for PRP, too, though I have no idea if it did any good. (Gunner and Mikek753 both too the same non-surgical protocol withOUT the PRP, and I think they’re progressing somewhat faster than I am. Tiny sample, of course!)

My three injections were only moderately painful (without pain-killer), and only for the moment of the injection. Maybe just lucky, who knows?

I had the PRP injection into my ankle joint 3 weeks ago. I am still suffering. The procedure was the most painful thing I have ever felt in my life. I had a shot of lidocane but the surgeon didn’t even wait one minute before doing the injections. I wore a boot for 2 weeks and the ankle wasn’t hurting too bad until I stopped wearing it. I loved reading all the comments to see how everyone reacted from this non surgical therapy. I think I’d prefer to just have another surgery so I will be knocked out and not have to feel that pain again!

I had the PRP done yesturday. I about passed out from the pain when it was injected into my shoulder!! But the injection into my elbow was nothing compared to my shoulder! Hope it works!!

I was diagnosed with chrondromalacia patella and minor meniscus tear on both knees due to low back and sacro iliac injuries which happened in JUly 09.
I had my 1st prp on both knees and prolotherapy on my neck, upperand lower back and sacroliac joints and hips done on 4/21/10.
Also I had 2nd prp on both knees and prolo on my lower back and hips on 5/18/10.
Since then, I have had horrible tightness on my whole
hamstrings, knee areas and calves on both legs, probably due to magnesium loss in my muscle cells although my dr does not understand why.
I have been soaking my feet with epsom salt which relieves it temporarily.
I asked my DR for physical therapy between treatment.
But hesaid no because it does not make sense to do it when your tissues are not healed yet.
I still can not climb up and down the stairs withot holding the rail and knee pain. I don’t have much improvement on knees. So, I decided to see a physical therapist this week thru direct access without a dr’s prescription. Hopefully, this will help me to heal better.

Does anyone here has had the similar experience as mine and had physical therapy with succ

@m -

My experience is, so far, the same as yours (Achilles tendinopathy PRP). Seemed better after 3-4 weeks and then went backwards after I picked up more activity, eccentrics, etc.

It’ll be 6 weeks since my injection and I’ll have my follow up this Weds. I’m interested to see what that ultrasound will show, but I think I know the answer, which is that it’ll show no improvement based on my symptoms.

I’m not really sure what to do next. A second injection seems and expensive long shot given the first didn’t seem to do anything.

That said, I’m glad to hear it’s working for jeepin. The doc’s sure love it so I have to assume it works for some people.

Mike, I am currently going for PRP for a bone on bone hip problem. To date I just had one treatment, my next treatment is the end of next week. The PRP did not hurt. I was sore for a couple of days afterwards, but nothing awful. I’m hoping it will work. The doctor said it helps over 90% of people, so I’m hoping I’m in that percentile. He also said that after 4 treatments we’ll know if it is going to work. Good luck to you!

Plantar fascia - PRP injection.

In 2008 I had surgery to reconstruct my ACL, clean up tears in both meniscus, and had to be not weight bearing for 2 months due to a fx of the tibial plateau. 8 months later had to have surgery to shave bone due to excess bone growth around the fx that limited my extension. I favored my knee during this time a developed plantar Fasciitis. I have had PT, and numerous other treatments that haven’t worked. Today I had an injection in my plantar fascia. Like most of you I researched the procedure after my dr. suggest the injection. The numbing of the anke area felt like a bee sting. I don’t feel like the heel area was very numb when the dr. did the PRP injection however the stinging I felt during the procedure wasn’t anywhere as painful as the pain I have daily! Yes it wasn’t pleasant but I wouldn’t say it’s the worst pain I’ve ever had.Then again I have a very high pain tolerance. When the Dr. was finished he said “You’re one tough woman.” The procedure was about 4 hrs. ago. My heel aches but most days after work it throbbed a lot worse!! Told to rest for the weekend & ice. No crutche

I had PRP injected on my inner thigh and Prolo, my outer for hip arthritis. The area that the injections went in have been tender for years but the pain of the injections was horrible. I do not feel much pain this evening and am hopefull the painful injections were worth it. My doctor said it wil likely be less painful with each treatment. Crossing my fingers.

Did anyone have a PRP injection to repair a bone on bone knee joint? My doctor told me that it is much better than having a total knee replacement. Anyone have this injection into their knee(s) to rejuvenate torn or lack of cartilage? Please send me an email to mikespenser@hotmail.com and put “PRP Injections” in Subject line so I do not trash the message.

Hi I have a torn tendon in my elbow, it happened three years ago ( car accident). But we just found it in a MRI with contrast. I had a PRP injection on 2/9/10. It is very painful I don’t take pain meds as I am allergic.. I was just wondering 1) How long doe it take for the tendon to repair itself and the pain to stop? and
2) What is the success rate???? To dateI’m still in pain but it has only been 3 weeks… Help please
Kiki
kikiv43@hotmail.com

I’m a journalist and would like to talk to a patient who was not improved through PRP (platelet rich plasma therapy). email is andymill111@yahoo.com

I had a PRP on my Achilles (tendinopathy - long term) mid January. The procedure was fine (pressure, not pain) and after about 3 weeks I was feeling really good about the whole thing. The pain had reduced considerably and the swelling around the tendon nodules was also much reduced, although the nodules were still very apparent and still sore. But, now 6 weeks later, I really feel it’s no better (i.e. it worked for a while and then went backwards). Not sure whether to have another or what to do next. PT helped a bit but the cost-benefit was not really good. I am not an athlete but I am active and I hate not being as mobile as I would like to be. Is surgery the next step? Has anyone had success with more than one PRP?

Hey all,
I had a PRP injection for microtears in my achilles. I do high impact step aerobics, cardio kickboxing, and jogging. I ignored the pain for months until I couldn’t anymore.
I wanted to reply for those who were asking about the pain. I’m a 32 yr old female (with a high pain tolerance) and the whole PRP process was painless. The numbing injection only hurts for a minute. I couldn’t feel anything while the Doc was injecting the PRP (b/c I was numb, duh!) but I had to look away b/c I was getting grossed out by how far in the needle was going. The injured area is still bruised, but in the mornings prior to the injection, I would move like a cripple while the tendon stretched out. That pain is gone. I tried physical therapy a few months ago, but what a time commitment for slow results. Maybe I will post again in a few weeks to let you all know if the pain is gone when I workout, since I’m still under Dr’s orders to stay off of it and wear a boot!

This whole PRP topic is great! Be careful not to draw too many conclusions from a small Dutch trial. There has also apparently been a study with PRP use in lateral epicondylitis showing benefit. Which results do we believe? Bottom line is PRP has simply not been studied enough. I’m a fairly competitive marathoner and have taken great interest in PRP out of desperation from an ailing achilles. That being said, I underwent PRP injection last week. Paid out of pocket. The injection just about brought me to tears. Pain resolved fairly abruptly after 24-36. One week out I’m feeling great, but now am confused on how best to rehab. Can’t seem to get the same opinion twice. I’ve been in a boot this whole time and plan on wearing it for another week. I’ve been doing some gentle range of motion, but no significant stretching or eccentric loading. All I know is I don’t want to screw this up because I don’t ever want to undergo another one of those injections. Anyone have a well documented rehab program? Hope those who have posted are recovering well.

I had a PRP injection in my right elbow two weeks ago. I am no wimp, it was terribly painful, enough to make me want to vomit. Two full days of terrible pain not relieved by two Vicodin every 4 hours. My doc warned me only that I would need the pain meds that night. No mention of the pain during the injection.My hand was swollen for a good 5 days. Two weeks out and arm feels about like it did before injection. I am right handed and still have to eat and do most activities with my left. I will be starting physical therapy later this week, hoping for a good outcome. Good luck.

Hi Laura, I have had the PRP injections in my facet joints, in the lower back i recommend to have this done, also watch a company called Mesoblast.

George, the “weeks of inactivity and the need for boots or crutches” isn’t because of the PRP injections, it’s because of a torn AT.

Either with or without surgery, a post-rupture AT needs a little TLC before you start tugging hard on it again.

The PRP injection(s) may (or may not) speed the recovery.

I had to wear the boot and be on crutches because my achilles tendon was around 90% torn, so in my situation the PRP was done in place of a reconstructive tendon surgery. I had the first injection in May 09 with a second in Sept 09 and everything seems to be back together. I am now still working on rebuilding the calf muscle, which was also injured and had atrophied due to the lack of proper use. If it can help put mine back together it should work pretty good on little tears from tendonosis. Good luck

I have been diagnosed with Achilles tendinosis (f/k/a tendinitis) I will be getting the PRP injection. My doctor at HSS in NYC was very up front about the Dutch study published in JAMA a few weeks ago, and referred to earlier in this blog by normofthenorth. My doctor was surprised by the studies outcome because in his experience, PRP has been 70% to 80% successful in treating minor/micro tearing in the Achilles tendon. I believe I will be getting just one injection, followed by 4-5 days of reduced activity. I was surrpised by some of the earlier posts describing weeks of inactivity and the need for boots or crutches following the injection, but perhaps their condition was more serious than my own. Good luck to everyone. I will let you know how my PRP therapy works out.

I have prp injection in my right knee I know cost a lot many but we have our health ones and the money is the problem, I felt 40% better after 2 weeks and I going for my second shot and the end of the months I will be ok I need my knee I don’t have another alternative just to replace my knee ,prp is doing a good have the insurance shoul cobver this procedure I don’t know why not to be covered

I recently finished a round (3) of PRP injections as part of the non-surgical “cure” for my second ATR. Cdn$400 x 3, with free ultrasounds thrown in by Ontario’s universal med-insurance plan “OHIP”.

There have been NO good (randomized) studies finished on PRP on ATR patients, though my surgeon just told me that one is underway.

The first randomized study on PRP was just published about a week ago, on AT tendinopathy patients. It found that the PRP was exactly as helpful as saline-solution injections. That may or may not mean that I wasted my money and time (and yes, it was painful for me, but that’s also no big deal to me). All the patients in the study did exercise, and they all improved (avg.) by 20-odd percent.

My physio thinks that the two conditions (tendinopathy and rupture) are very different, so he thinks it’s not surprising that PRP didn’t do much for tendinopathy, but it still might be “magic” for ATR.

My surgeon (he IS a fancy surgeon, but he didn’t operate on me, because the new studies are showing that there’s no benefit from ATR surgery!) isn’t impressed with the study, “not a very good study”. His main bee

Had rotator cuff shoulder surgery for a “massive” 3 tendon tear 2 weeks ago. had 1st (of 4 or 5) PRP injection today to try to help the healing process post op and hopefully help prevent a re-tear. There was absolutely no pain and the only anesthetic was a freeze spray (no lidocaine, no nothing just pure PRP). The only pain was the $700 it will cost per injection - not too into the $2800 to $3500 this will cost, but I only have 1 left shoulder. People should stop the BS about PRP injects being painful - it doesn’t hurt nearly as much as what you are getting the shot for in the 1st place, and in my case it was painless. Sure wish PRP was around 10 years ago when I had ACL surgery on my knee. Think about it people, the logic and biology of PRP is simple and obvious. I’m thinking about robbing a bank so I can get injected into various other joints that hurt!

please update me on the prp injections for knee tendonitis.
I am desperate for an answer

Hey all,
I just had a PRP shot done on my left knee as I have pes anserine bursitis & tendonitis in both knees. I found the procedure produced a pain Ive never felt before, and while it seemed to be going well & the bruising was looking more green than purple (sign of healing), it’s now back to its original dark purple color. It was 23 days ago I had the procedure & am having some serious doubts. I’ve done everything else ie: physical therapy, electic stim., massage therapy, accupuncture, ice, rest, elevation, ibuprofen, 3 sets of cortisone shots & tons of stretching. NOTHING has worked & I’m starting to think I’m now out of non-surgical options & surgery is the only thing left. Has anyone else experienced pes anserine bursitis or tendonitis on the interior part of your knee(s)?

Hey everyone,
Have been suffering with pain in my right achilles for about three years. Continued to overuse during this period up until last October when the pain simply became too painful to continue. Had an MRI done and found that the tendon was torn longitudally - Doctor recommended PRP. Had the injection three weeks ago and am following the doctors instructions to be walking short distances at this stage. I just wanted to know is it normal to still have soreness at this stage? Any comments would be appreciated

Just had my injection 2 days ago,sorry I waited so long. The whole procedure was almost painless. The injection to numb my elbow I didn’t even feel. the only pain I felt was at the end when he injected the plama into the tendon and it was not that bad. 2 days of medium pain and I can’t believe the difference. I need to get the other elbow done and have to wait 12 weeks. Put away your anxiety, and get this done. Therapy for strengthening and strecting is next. I almost feel new

Hey all,

I had a PRP injectiong for non-healing severe golfer’s elbow (tendonitis) that I actually got from lifting very heavy weights.

I stopped working out upper body for six months with NO change or improved healing. At the year point, I went to see Dr. Cosgarea (ortho for the Baltimore Orioles). He told me to try phys. therapy one more time and then the next option was surgery.

During my phys. therapy, the excellent therapist told me about PRP.

I did my research and chose to travel to the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC (rated best ortho hospital in the nation). My Dr. was Dr. Brian Halpern. He’s executed about 300 PRP injections… meaning he has a lot of experience.

I had the procedure done at the beginning of Oct. 2009. Now at almost the 4 month point, I am 100% pain free for daily activities and 90% pain free for pushing motions in the gym.

I’m still no approved for bicep curls or rowing motions and was advised to wait another two months before trying these activities.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU: PRP WORKED WONDERFULLY FOR ME.

The pain of the numbing shot is NOTHING compared to the benefits and if you are

Same situation as SBsurfer (I’m a surfer too) I think I might have seen him over at the SLAP surgery site. Anyway I’m on my way in 15 minutes to for the prp injection for tendonitis on the petellar tendon.. Had ACL about ten years ago. ACL works great but lots of pain ever since where they used part of the tendon for the surgery. We’ll see. I think I’ll pop a percocet ( Still have them from the SLAP repair) Sounds like this is gonna hurt!!

i am a 49 yr old runner with persistent and debilitating plantar fasciitis, in various treatments for a solid year. cortisone shots were a disaster - too much and caused its own damage to add to the problem. had 5 prolo therapy shots with some improvement, and then had PRP yesterday. Very, very painful, which i was not completely prepared for. But after reading everything i can get my hands on about this procedure, i am very hopeful for a full recovery. my concern is whether or not to have an additional injection, if recommended — there seems to be some controversy on whether this is a one shot deal or not. i can’t walk and am using crutches, but it is already better than yesterday.

I contacted my insurance company today, and PRP injections are being covered. All those that are not sure should check with their insurance company, there has been alot of press about the injections maybe the insurance companies are taking notice.

Am going in for PRP today for a torn rotator cuff in left shoulder with calcification & bursitis. Have had numerous cortisone injections into the site with success but it only lasts 3 months at best. I am not a good candidate for surgery b/c I’ve had serious staph infections from lumbar fusions and other minor surgeries and procedures. I wouldn’t want to go through the staph recovery process again and no one in their right mind would want to open me up. I have done a lot of research on the PRP procedure and found that it holds a lot of hope for many injuries, especially with partial tears and recurring pain. I will post again after the procedure.

In all honesty I would avoid any surgery at all cost due to the possibility of infections.

What I meant to say was “waste of”…. and oh, yeah, they’re really not that painful. I mean it doesn’t feel good but they don’t hurt that bad at all. Mind over matter, people.

I’m a college basketball players and had PRP done on both of my achilles tendons for mild tendonosis(by the guy who created PRP) and after 6 weeks(followed rehab to the T) they feel as bad as they did before. Wish I just would have had surgery. Was of 1100 dollars and more importantly 6 weeks.

I had a prp injection into my rectus abdominus tendon 7 days ago for tendonosis. I am still aching and I agree that the injection process was horribly painful. If I have to have another injection I am going to ask to be numbed up. I ended up hurting my back as I tensed so hard during the injections (I think I got about 20 needle sticks).