Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy has moved from the sidelines of experimental medicine into mainstream orthopedic and sports medicine practice. Professional athletes have used PRP to accelerate recovery for years, and the same regenerative technology is now available to patients throughout Forest Hills, Queens and Long Island. At M&S Vascular and Orthopedic Group P.C., we use PRP as part of a comprehensive approach to treating musculoskeletal injuries and chronic joint conditions.
The Science Behind PRP
PRP therapy harnesses your body's own healing biology. Blood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Platelets are best known for their role in clotting, but they also carry a concentrated payload of growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF). These proteins regulate cell proliferation, tissue remodeling, and inflammation.
During a PRP procedure, a small sample of your blood is drawn and placed in a centrifuge that separates the components by density. The resulting platelet-rich concentrate contains three to five times the normal platelet concentration. When injected precisely into an injured area under ultrasound guidance, this concentrated dose of growth factors accelerates the natural repair process.
Conditions That Respond to PRP
Clinical evidence supports PRP for a range of musculoskeletal conditions:
- Knee osteoarthritis: Multiple randomized controlled trials have shown PRP injections reduce pain and improve function in mild to moderate knee arthritis, often outperforming corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections at six and twelve months.
- Tendon injuries: Chronic tendinopathies of the elbow (tennis elbow, golfer's elbow), Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, and rotator cuff respond well to PRP because tendons have limited blood supply, and PRP delivers growth factors directly to the injury site.
- Ligament sprains: Partial tears of the ACL, MCL, and other ligaments can benefit from PRP to support tissue healing alongside physical therapy.
- Muscle strains: PRP can accelerate recovery from hamstring, quadriceps, and calf muscle injuries, particularly in athletes.
- Plantar fasciitis: Patients with chronic heel pain who have not responded to stretching, orthotics, or cortisone injections often see improvement with PRP.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
PRP works best for patients with clearly defined soft tissue injuries or early to moderate degenerative joint disease. Ideal candidates include active adults and athletes looking to return to sport or exercise, patients who want to avoid or delay surgical intervention, individuals who have not responded adequately to physical therapy, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications, and patients who prefer a treatment using their own biological materials rather than synthetic drugs.
PRP may not be appropriate for patients with advanced bone-on-bone arthritis, active infections, blood disorders, or those taking blood-thinning medications that cannot be temporarily paused. Dr. Mehran Manouel evaluates each patient individually to determine whether PRP is likely to provide meaningful benefit.
What the Procedure Looks Like
The entire PRP process takes about 45 minutes in our office and requires no general anesthesia.
A standard blood draw is performed from your arm. The blood is placed in a specialized centrifuge for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Dr. Manouel or Dr. Amir Salem uses ultrasound guidance to inject the PRP concentrate precisely into the target tissue.
You may experience mild soreness at the injection site for two to three days. This is expected and reflects the initiation of the healing inflammatory response. Patients are typically advised to avoid anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen) for one to two weeks after the injection, as these can blunt the therapeutic effect. Most patients notice gradual improvement over four to six weeks, with full benefits developing over two to three months.
PRP as Part of a Comprehensive Treatment Plan
At M&S Vascular and Orthopedic Group P.C., we do not view PRP as a standalone miracle treatment. Its greatest value comes when integrated into a broader plan that includes physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles, activity modification to reduce ongoing tissue stress, and in some cases, complementary procedures such as GAE for patients with knee osteoarthritis and significant inflammatory blood vessel involvement.
Our dual-specialty practice in Forest Hills, Queens and Great Neck, Long Island gives patients access to both orthopedic and vascular expertise under one roof. Whether your condition calls for PRP, surgery, vascular intervention, or a combination, we develop a coordinated plan tailored to your goals.
If you are dealing with a nagging injury or chronic joint pain that has not responded to conventional treatments, PRP therapy may be the next step. Call (718) 897-2228 or visit https://www.msorthovasc.com to schedule your evaluation.