PRP Injections for Shoulder Pain in Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Rotator cuff tendons heal slowly because they have a poor blood supply. PRP puts concentrated growth factors directly into the damaged tendon under ultrasound, which is why it is worth considering for cuff tendinopathy and partial tears that have stalled despite rehab.
Shoulder PRP at a glance
Best evidence: rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial-thickness tears
Typical course: 1 injection, occasionally 2
Downtime: no sling; light use for a week
Cost: $700 per injection, $500 for members
Shoulder problems PRP can help
Rotator cuff tendinopathy, the worn, thickened tendon behind most chronic shoulder pain in adults over 40. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears where the tendon is damaged but still attached. Biceps tendon pain at the front of the shoulder. Early shoulder arthritis where cartilage wear is mild to moderate.
What the evidence says
For cuff tendinopathy and partial tears, several trials show PRP matching cortisone early and beating it at six to twelve months, without cortisone’s tendon-weakening downside. Full-thickness tears are a different problem: PRP will not reattach a torn tendon, and those shoulders need a surgical opinion. Frozen shoulder is also not a PRP problem. Ultrasound sorts these out in the first visit.
How Ridgeview approaches shoulder PRP
- Strength and range-of-motion exam to separate cuff, biceps, joint, and neck-referred pain
- Diagnostic ultrasound of the cuff tendons, looking specifically for the size and depth of any tear
- Referral for MRI or a surgical opinion when the tear is full-thickness, rather than an injection that will not work
- Ultrasound-guided injection into the tendon lesion itself
- A cuff-strengthening progression, since a loaded tendon heals better than a rested one
Worth a conversation if
Pain reaching overhead or behind your back for three months or more
Night pain when you lie on that side
An MRI showing a partial tear and advice to “wait and see”
A cortisone shot that helped, then stopped helping
What to expect from a shoulder PRP injection.
About an hour in the office. No sling, no crutches, no time off work for most desk jobs.
Before: pause anti-inflammatories as instructed and bring any MRI report or images.
Day of: blood draw, preparation, and a guided injection into the tendon. Driving home is fine.
First week: a deep ache for several days is expected. Keep the arm moving gently; skip overhead lifting.
Weeks two to twelve: progressive cuff strengthening. Overhead sport and heavy pressing come back last.
Follow-up: repeat ultrasound and exam to confirm the tendon is responding.
Shoulder PRP questions
Can PRP heal a rotator cuff tear without surgery?
A partial-thickness tear or a worn tendon can improve meaningfully with PRP and rehab. A full-thickness tear, where the tendon has pulled away from the bone, cannot be injected back into place. Ultrasound in the first visit tells us which one you have.
Will I be able to sleep after the injection?
The first few nights can be uncomfortable, especially on that side. Acetaminophen, ice, and a pillow under the arm help. This settles within about a week and is a sign the healing response is underway.
When can I throw, swim, or lift overhead again?
Light daily use returns within days. Overhead sport and heavy pressing typically wait six to eight weeks and then rebuild gradually under a written plan, because the tendon is remodeling during that window.
Find out what your shoulder actually needs.
One visit, exam plus ultrasound, and a straight answer on whether PRP is worth it. $250, waived for Ridgeview members.