PRP Therapy / Injections

If a stubborn joint, tendon, or ligament injury hasn’t settled with rest, physical therapy, or medication, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may help your body heal itself. Our physicians perform PRP injections across Long Island and northern New Jersey — with offices in Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma, NY, and Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield, NJ.

What PRP therapy actually is

Your blood carries platelets — cell fragments packed with growth factors that your body uses to repair tissue after an injury. PRP therapy puts a concentrated dose of those growth factors exactly where you need them. We draw a small sample of your blood, spin it in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets, and inject that concentrated plasma into the injured joint, tendon, or ligament, often using ultrasound guidance for accuracy.

The goal is to support your body’s own healing response in an area that’s been slow to recover. It’s called an autologous treatment, meaning everything injected comes from your own body — nothing synthetic and no donor material.

What PRP can help with

PRP has the most evidence behind it for musculoskeletal problems, particularly:

• Chronic tendon injuries such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and Achilles or patellar tendon pain
• Osteoarthritis of the knee and other joints, especially mild to moderate cases
• Ligament and muscle injuries that have been slow to heal
• Injuries that haven’t responded well to physical therapy or medication alone

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, PRP has been used for chronic tendon problems, certain acute sports injuries, and knee osteoarthritis, though it works best as part of a broader plan rather than on its own.

Are you a candidate?

PRP tends to make sense when:

• You have a tendon, ligament, or mild-to-moderate joint problem that hasn’t fully healed
• Conservative care — rest, therapy, medication — hasn’t gotten you where you want to be
• You’d like to support healing and potentially delay or avoid surgery
• You prefer a treatment that uses your own biology rather than long-term medication

We follow a step-by-step approach, so we’ll be straight with you about whether PRP is a reasonable option for your situation or whether another treatment fits better. Empire’s experience with concentrated platelet treatments runs deep — Dr. Salvatore Corso, one of our orthopedic surgeons, presented on the use of concentrated platelets to promote faster healing at North Shore University Hospital Grand Rounds and to the American Podiatric Medical Association back in 2007, well before PRP became widely known.

What to expect

PRP is done in-office on an outpatient basis, without general anesthesia. The full visit — blood draw, centrifuge processing, and injection — typically takes 30 minutes to an hour. You’ll feel a brief pinch at the blood draw and some pressure during the injection.

Most people return to normal activity within a few days. Because PRP works by prompting your body’s healing response, the benefit builds gradually — it can take several weeks to feel the full effect, and some conditions call for a short series of injections spaced a few weeks apart.

PRP compared with a cortisone injection

Patients often ask how PRP differs from a steroid (cortisone) shot. They do different jobs:

Some studies of knee osteoarthritis have found PRP compares favorably to certain traditional injections, though research is still developing and results vary by patient. We’ll help you weigh which approach fits your goals.

Why patients across Long Island and North Jersey choose Empire

Insurance

Coverage varies by plan and by location, and we accept many major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. Many insurers consider PRP an elective treatment, so the simplest way to know exactly what applies to you is to call — our team will verify your benefits and go over any costs before your visit, so there are no surprises. Whether you’re on Long Island or in North Jersey, reach out and we’ll walk you through your options.

Frequently asked questions

Is PRP therapy covered by insurance?

It depends on your insurer and the condition being treated. Many plans treat PRP as elective, so coverage varies. Our team can verify your specific coverage and explain any out-of-pocket cost before you schedule.

Does PRP therapy hurt?

Most patients feel a brief pinch from the blood draw and some pressure during the injection. Soreness at the injection site is common for a few days as the healing response gets going, and usually settles on its own.

How many PRP sessions will I need?

It depends on your condition and how you respond. Some people improve after a single session, while others do better with a short series spaced a few weeks apart. We’ll map out a plan after evaluating you.

How long does it take PRP to work?

PRP works gradually because it supports your body’s own repair process. Many people start noticing change over several weeks, with continued improvement after that rather than instant relief.

Is PRP the same as stem cell therapy?

No. PRP concentrates the platelets and growth factors from your own blood. It does not use stem cells. PRP is the regenerative option we offer for the conditions described here.

Who is a good candidate for PRP?

Generally, people with slow-healing tendon, ligament, or mild-to-moderate joint problems who haven’t gotten enough relief from conservative care. It’s less suited to fully torn tissue or advanced arthritis. An evaluation is the only way to know for sure.