PRP Injections in Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Platelet-rich plasma uses your own blood to help stubborn tendon, ligament, and joint problems improve. At Ridgeview, every injection is performed by a sports medicine physician under ultrasound guidance, at a price you know before you decide.
PRP at a glance
$700 per injection, $500 for direct primary care members
Performed by a physician, not delegated to staff
Ultrasound-guided so the plasma lands exactly where it should
About 30 minutes in the office, minimal downtime
Honest candidacy screening: if PRP is unlikely to help, you will hear that first
What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma is a small amount of your own blood, spun in a centrifuge in a special tube that separates and concentrates the platelets, then injected into an injured tendon, ligament, or joint. Platelets carry growth factors that signal the body to repair tissue. The goal is to restart a healing process that has stalled, which is why PRP is used for problems that have lingered for months rather than days.
What the evidence actually says
PRP is not a cure-all, and any clinic that promises otherwise is selling. The research is strongest for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis and for tennis elbow, where PRP has outperformed competing treatments in a number of trials at six months and beyond. It is reasonable for several other tendon problems, and less certain for some, including Achilles tendinopathy. Dr. Kroner will tell you which category your problem falls into before you spend a dollar on a procedure.
Why guidance and technique matter
A tendon lesion can be a few millimeters wide. Injecting blind increases the risk of missing. Every PRP injection at Ridgeview is placed under live musculoskeletal ultrasound, by the same physician who examined you, so the plasma reaches the damaged tissue rather than the space beside it.
How a PRP visit works
- Sports Medicine consultation and examination to determine the diagnosis and whether PRP could help
- A standard blood draw from your arm in the office, about the size of a lab test
- Your blood is spun in the office to concentrate the platelets
- Ultrasound-guided injection into the injured tissue
- Written aftercare and a follow-up plan, usually reevaluating at four to six weeks
Good candidates for PRP
Tendon pain that has lasted three months or more
Mild to moderate joint arthritis
Rehab and activity changes that helped, but not enough
Cortisone that wore off, or that you would rather avoid
Wanting to delay or avoid surgery
PRP is usually not the answer for
Full-thickness tendon ruptures that need repair
Bone-on-bone arthritis
Acute pain that has not yet had a real trial of rehab
Patients with bleeding disorders or who are on immuosuppressant or anti-platelet therapy. We just don’t have enough data on these patients yet
PRP by body part
Where PRP is used, and how well it tends to work.
PRP for the Knee
Knee osteoarthritis, patellar tendinopathy, and lingering meniscus or ligament pain. The best-studied use of PRP.
PRP for the Shoulder
Rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial-thickness tears, biceps tendon pain, and early shoulder arthritis.
PRP for the Elbow
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow that have outlasted bracing, rehab, and cortisone. Among the strongest evidence for PRP.
PRP for the Wrist and Hand
Carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, thumb arthritis, and wrist tendon pain.
PRP for the Hip
Gluteal tendinopathy (outer hip pain), high hamstring tendinopathy, and mild to moderate hip arthritis.
PRP for the Foot and Ankle
Plantar fasciitis that will not quit, osteoarthritis, and ankle ligament deficits causing chronic instability.
PRP, cortisone, or hyaluronic acid?
Ridgeview offers all three, so the recommendation is based on your problem, not on what the clinic happens to sell.
Cortisone calms inflammation quickly and is inexpensive ($150, or $75 for members), but relief often fades within weeks and repeated shots can weaken tendon and cartilage.
Hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) lubricates an arthritic knee or other large joints and can help for several months. Some patients respond well; some feel little benefit.
PRP works more slowly, usually over four to twelve weeks, but in tendons and mild to moderate arthritis the benefit tends to last longer. It is the option that aims at repair rather than relief and since it is a patient’s own tissue, is the lowest-risk of all injections.
Platelet-poor plasma (PPP) is also available for specific cases such as muscle injury where a lower-platelet preparation is preferred.
Pricing
$700 per PRP injection. $500 for members. No surprises.
PRP is not covered by insurance anywhere, and many clinics charge well over $1,000 per injection. Ridgeview’s price includes the blood draw, preparation, and ultrasound-guided injection. A new sports medicine consultation is $250 and is waived for Ridgeview members. Most problems need one to three injections. See the full sports medicine price list.
Common questions about PRP
Does a PRP injection hurt?
The blood draw feels like a lab test. The injection itself is brief, and most patients describe pressure and a deep ache rather than sharp pain. Soreness for two to five days afterward is normal and is part of the body’s response to the platelets.
How soon will I feel better?
PRP is slow by design. Many patients notice change at four to six weeks, with continued improvement out to three months. If you need relief for an event next week, this is the wrong tool and Dr. Kroner will say so.
How many injections will I need?
Tendon problems often respond to a single injection. Arthritic joints may give relief for several months but eventually the pain may return and more injections may be needed. The plan is set after your exam, and you pay per injection, never for a package you may not need.
Can I take ibuprofen before or after?
Anti-inflammatories can blunt the platelet response, so you will be asked to pause ibuprofen, naproxen, and similar medicines for a period before and after the injection. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is fine. Specific instructions come with your appointment confirmation.
Is PRP safe?
Because the plasma comes from your own blood, allergic reaction is not a concern. The risks are those of any injection: temporary soreness, bruising, tissue injury, and a small risk of infection, which sterile technique and ultrasound guidance keep very low.
Do I need to be a Ridgeview member?
No. Sports medicine visits and PRP are open to anyone, even if your primary care is elsewhere. Members pay the reduced rate and skip the consultation fee.
Find out whether PRP is right for you.
Start with a sports medicine evaluation with Dr. Kroner. Serving Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Lakewood, Golden, and the west Denver metro.