PRP or Stem Cell Therapy for Joint Pain
Prices
-
$500 for unilateral PRP
-
$700 for bilateral PRP
-
$3,000 for unilateral stem cell
-
$3,500 for bilateral stem cell
-
$3,500 for unilateral PRP/stem cell
-
$4,200 for bilateral PRP/stem cell
Joint and tendon pain are common complaints. While traditional treatments like physical therapy and medications can help, some people explore different paint treatment options.
PRP and stem cell therapy are two additional options to treating your joint pain. Both therapies use materials from your own body to ease pain. While they show promise, evidence about their effectiveness is mixed and research is ongoing.
What is PRP Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses platelets and other materials inside your blood. Platelets are a type of blood cells that helps your blood clot. Platelets also help wounds heal more quickly.
During PRP therapy, your doctor will inject PRP into the painful or injured area. Since this injection has up to 10 times more platelets than normal blood (as well as a high concentration of growth factors), doctors suspect that the extra platelets may help reduce pain and inflammation.
Your PRP therapy will take several steps:
- First, your doctor will take a small sample of your blood.
- Next, your doctor will put your blood sample into a special machine that separates your platelets and the plasma part of your blood from other materials in your blood.
- Then, your doctor will inject your platelets back into your body, close to where your pain or injury is.
PRP Therapy Recovery
PRP therapy is generally considered safe. You may experience mild side effects like injection site pain or temporary inflammation.
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cells are special cells inside your body that can develop into many different types of tissue. When injected into your body, stem cells may have the ability to grow into healthy new cells. Because of their potential to grow into new cells, stem cells are sometimes used alongside chemotherapy for cancer treatment.
In a similar way, doctors use stem cells to treat joint problems. Doctors remove stem cells from your bone marrow. Your doctor then injects these stem cells into a painful joint (for example, your knee or shoulder) with the goal of alleviating pain.
Does Stem Cell Therapy Work?
Like PRP, stem cell therapy is a new, experimental treatment. This means doctors and researchers are still studying how it works and how effective it is.
Stem cell therapy may not work for everyone. You may also need multiple injections of stem cells before your pain gets better.
Is Stem Cell Therapy Safe?
Stem cell therapy carries a risk of complications, such as infection and immune system reactions.
PRP Therapy Vs. Stem Cell Therapy
Both PRP and stem cell therapy can treat a variety of conditions:
-
Osteoarthritis
-
Tendonitis or tendinopathy
PRP and stem cell therapy are not used to treat bone fractures, pinched nerves, or acute ligament injuries. These therapies may be a good option if other treatments (like steroid injections) haven't worked.
Although stem or PRP therapy may help manage your symptoms, they are not a cure, and long-term effects of both therapies are unknown. Both therapies are not currently FDA-approved for treating most musculoskeletal conditions. Studies on the effectiveness of PRP and stem cell therapy is mixed, and research is ongoing.
PRP or stem cell therapy are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Talk with your health care provider to determine if PRP or stem cell therapy is appropriate for your needs.
Your health care provider will consider several factors when suggesting treatment options:
-
Your medical history
-
Your specific condition
-
Your condition’s severity and cause
PRP & Stem Cell Therapy Vs. Other Injections
Many patients try steroid injections or hyaluronic acid (HA) injections for pain relief. These injections work for some people but may not provide sufficient pain relief for others. In these situations, PRP or stem cell therapy may be an appropriate option.
Find a Doctor
Why Choose University of Utah Health?
U of U Health has year-after-year exceptional rankings as offering the best health care in the nation. It's not a surprise. We believe collaboration throughout our system — from physicians, researchers, biologists, and more — leads to the most innovative care.
Working together in a rich, diverse clinical environment means our discoveries have a direct impact on the health of our patients.U of U Health isn't satisfied with just offering health care. We want to transform it.