It may sound too good to be true, but a simple platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection can provide an extra healing boost for common but often slow-to-heal conditions like shoulder tendinitis.
PRP is one of many tools that award-winning, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sumit Dewanjee at FXRX uses to address injuries and chronic conditions that affect joints, ligaments, and tendons.
Read why Dr. Dewanjee may recommend PRP therapy to help restore pain-free mobility and what to expect during a treatment.
Shoulder tendinitis happens when the tendons in your shoulder — the thick cords that attach muscle to bone — become irritated or inflamed. This can be due to repetitive motion, overuse, aging, or sudden injury.
Symptoms often include:
While rest, physical therapy, medications, and even cortisone shots are common first steps, sometimes these treatments aren’t enough for more stubborn cases.
Platelet-rich plasma is a regenerative medicine treatment that introduces your own blood components to an injury site to promote natural healing.
We take a small sample of your blood, just like during a simple blood test. We then spin the blood in a centrifuge to separate the platelets — the tiny cell fragments that help with healing.
We inject this concentrated platelet-rich plasma into the injured area of your shoulder.
Why does it work? Platelets are packed with growth factors that can jump-start tissue repair and reduce inflammation, encouraging your body to heal itself.
Dr. Dewanjee starts with an evaluation, including a review of your symptoms, a physical exam, and imaging studies like an MRI or ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.
If treatments like physical therapy, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections haven’t provided relief, he may recommend a healing boost with PRP therapy.
PRP is delivered via injection. Dr. Dewanjee places the injection using advanced imaging to ensure pinpoint accuracy.
We expect the entire process to take about 60 minutes, including the blood draw, preparing the PRP, and the injection itself.
Most people report mild discomfort during the injection, similar to getting a shot.
You might feel increased soreness or swelling for a few days as your body starts its healing response. Dr. Dewanjee may recommend rest and possibly wearing a sling for a short time.
Physical therapy, introduced after a few days, can help restore strength and flexibility. Most people start to notice improvement within 4–6 weeks, with continued healing over several months.
PRP isn't a quick fix, and results can vary from person to person. But PRP therapy offers a promising, natural approach to treating shoulder tendinitis. It could be the game-changer you’ve been searching for to regain pain-free mobility.
Dr. Dewanjee wants to help eliminate your shoulder pain. Schedule a visit at FXRX today by calling one of our two offices — in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona — or requesting an appointment online.
