PRP Injections

You should look into PT from someone who specializes in sports physical therapy. Research hip abductor strength as it relates to knee pain. Strengthen hip abductors.

What kinds of literature are you reading that lead you to believe that they are the best option?


Was this treatment suggested to you by a specialist or Dr. Google?
How long have had constant symptoms for?
Do you have diagnostic imaging confirmation of tendon thickening? or is the diagnosis symptom based.


The quality of evidence for platelet rich plasma injections is very low. Other studies that have focused on this therapy, without significant methodological flaws, indicate that there is insufficient evidence to support their use, for you specific indication.

LivingDaLifeJust curious if anyone here has experience with getting PRP injections for patellar tendinitis/tendinosis? Most of the literature I've found online seems to indicate that they're the best option, but I figured I'd see if anyone here had experience with them specifically related to park skiing.

The BEST way to see if those type of injections will work for you would be to get a consultation with a reputable orthopedist. Definitely worth an appointment cus there might be an even better way to treat/alleviate the issue that you didn't find online. I didn't quote them but someone said physical therapy, it's definitely worth a try, again you'd see an orthopedist for a referral. Depending on your insurance, a few sessions might be totally covered. There's also different kinds of tape patterns specific to patellar tendon irritations that you can pair with a brace if that is recommended to you.

With injections, it's kinda a crapshoot in my experience... All I can speak for is cortisone so I don't have experience with PRP's (sorry). However with what I have had done in my shoulder and neck had different results. The one in the shoulder worked entirely never felt a thing again, the one in my neck didn't do a damn thing and also cost $400+ out of pocket after insurance.

So I dunno, take that for what you will, sometimes an injection is the right way to go but I'm not a medical professional and that's really the right person to ask.

I've done a ton of physical therapy - right around 10 months at this point of doing exercises, including strengthening hip abductors. About 6 months of that was actually going to PT.

The PRP injections were suggested to me by an orthopedic doctor, not just google. Specifically Dr. Cunningham from Vail Summit Orthopedic. He seems pretty reputable. I've done and still do taping and braces. It helps to a certain extent in that I can still ski but skiing park is still too painful to do effectively.

I also spoke to my PT about the injections and she recommended them as well.

Mostly I made this post because I was curious if anyone had first hand experience with them related to park skiing - most everything I can find online isn't specifically related to skiing. I've been told I should be able to ski again in 8 weeks after getting the injections, but the doctor I had the consultation with didn't have experience with skiing so wasn't too clear.

I'm planning on getting them but don't really know what to expect out of the rehab process so was hoping someone on here had first hand experience.

SkierBetchThe BEST way to see if those type of injections will work for you would be to get a consultation with a reputable orthopedist. Definitely worth an appointment cus there might be an even better way to treat/alleviate the issue that you didn't find online. I didn't quote them but someone said physical therapy, it's definitely worth a try, again you'd see an orthopedist for a referral. Depending on your insurance, a few sessions might be totally covered. There's also different kinds of tape patterns specific to patellar tendon irritations that you can pair with a brace if that is recommended to you.

With injections, it's kinda a crapshoot in my experience... All I can speak for is cortisone so I don't have experience with PRP's (sorry). However with what I have had done in my shoulder and neck had different results. The one in the shoulder worked entirely never felt a thing again, the one in my neck didn't do a damn thing and also cost $400+ out of pocket after insurance.

So I dunno, take that for what you will, sometimes an injection is the right way to go but I'm not a medical professional and that's really the right person to ask.

LivingDaLifeI've done a ton of physical therapy - right around 10 months at this point of doing exercises, including strengthening hip abductors. About 6 months of that was actually going to PT.

The PRP injections were suggested to me by an orthopedic doctor, not just google. Specifically Dr. Cunningham from Vail Summit Orthopedic. He seems pretty reputable. I've done and still do taping and braces. It helps to a certain extent in that I can still ski but skiing park is still too painful to do effectively.

I also spoke to my PT about the injections and she recommended them as well.

Mostly I made this post because I was curious if anyone had first hand experience with them related to park skiing - most everything I can find online isn't specifically related to skiing. I've been told I should be able to ski again in 8 weeks after getting the injections, but the doctor I had the consultation with didn't have experience with skiing so wasn't too clear.

I'm planning on getting them but don't really know what to expect out of the rehab process so was hoping someone on here had first hand experience.

PRP starts at about $800 out of pocket. Do not let anyone's skeptics throw you off on here, none of them have a clue especially with PRP. Cortisone shots will be a thing of the past in the next 5-10 years, and will be replaced by Bone Marrow Extracted Stem Cells from the Hip Bone. In fact, cortisone can actually max out in the long run and does nothing to "cure" the problem.

Not all orthos have a clue about regenerative medicine. In fact, two might have the exact opposite opinions. Mostly because this stuff is fairly new within the past 10 years and theres no one studying in professionally in their med schools. How do I know this crap? I have had 3 knee surgeries in the 6 months on my knee and ive seen three different orthos including Dr. C who you are seeing now, i am still on crutches.

The Steadman Clinic is has a better understanding and background of regenerative medicine than most clinics in the United States. They have a multl-millon dollar research facility at the bottom floor of the Vail Valley Hospital. The future of knees lies with regenerative medicine, we are close but yet so far, mainly because of the government and FDA. Other countries are ahead of us.

Newschoolers is not the best forum for this. Most parks kids are so young they dont run into this problem. Check the Teton Gravity GIMP Central forum for more skier based research on PRP. Basically PRP just spins the blood and then puts it back in your knee. You can also look into Prolotherapy, thats what Tanner Hall and Bode Miller used.

Good luck and just be thankful you knee is not any worse. I will out from skiing for about 14-15months.

BarmskiPRP starts at about $800 out of pocket. Do not let anyone's skeptics throw you off on here, none of them have a clue especially with PRP. Cortisone shots will be a thing of the past in the next 5-10 years, and will be replaced by Bone Marrow Extracted Stem Cells from the Hip Bone. In fact, cortisone can actually max out in the long run and does nothing to "cure" the problem.

Not all orthos have a clue about regenerative medicine. In fact, two might have the exact opposite opinions. Mostly because this stuff is fairly new within the past 10 years and theres no one studying in professionally in their med schools. How do I know this crap? I have had 3 knee surgeries in the 6 months on my knee and ive seen three different orthos including Dr. C who you are seeing now, i am still on crutches.

The Steadman Clinic is has a better understanding and background of regenerative medicine than most clinics in the United States. They have a multl-millon dollar research facility at the bottom floor of the Vail Valley Hospital. The future of knees lies with regenerative medicine, we are close but yet so far, mainly because of the government and FDA. Other countries are ahead of us.

Newschoolers is not the best forum for this. Most parks kids are so young they dont run into this problem. Check the Teton Gravity GIMP Central forum for more skier based research on PRP. Basically PRP just spins the blood and then puts it back in your knee. You can also look into Prolotherapy, thats what Tanner Hall and Bode Miller used.

Good luck and just be thankful you knee is not any worse. I will out from skiing for about 14-15months.

Cortisone was never meant to treat anything but pain. It's use in tendonitis/nosis is to allow the patient to strengthen muscles painfree so that when the shot wears off the patient has proper strength and movement patterns.

Platlet injection is specifically meant to treat the injured area. There will always be a large demand for such an effective non addictive pain treatment.

For the record I love cortisone. But would be very interested in platlet injections to help heal my shredded labrum, and degeneration of the shoulder cup.

I've had cortisone before - it's great but doesn't heal anything. It's also possible that it weakens the tendons, I only had it for a sprained MCL. My doctor didn't recommend it for my tendinosis since it wouldn't help anything.

I have patella tendonitis as well, have thought about the injections, but from what I've read and talked to physical therapists is that strengthening/ PT is a better option, but after months of that my knee still isn't 100% so not sure. I wouldn't be opposed to trying it, but I really haven't read and good stories to convince me.

chris.goodhueI have patella tendonitis as well, have thought about the injections, but from what I've read and talked to physical therapists is that strengthening/ PT is a better option, but after months of that my knee still isn't 100% so not sure. I wouldn't be opposed to trying it, but I really haven't read and good stories to convince me.

After 6 months of PT over the summer with no impact sports, my knees were back to horrible after about two days of skiing in November. I'm planning on getting the injections in mid January after I finish this stretch of teaching ski school. It'll almost end my season (they say 6-8 week rehab period, so I assume I'll be at least 8 weeks) but worth it if I can ski hard again next year. I've read several studies online about the PRP shots and it seems like they're pretty effective usually. I guess I'll find out and let you know in March how they worked out.

LivingDaLifeAfter 6 months of PT over the summer with no impact sports, my knees were back to horrible after about two days of skiing in November. I'm planning on getting the injections in mid January after I finish this stretch of teaching ski school. It'll almost end my season (they say 6-8 week rehab period, so I assume I'll be at least 8 weeks) but worth it if I can ski hard again next year. I've read several studies online about the PRP shots and it seems like they're pretty effective usually. I guess I'll find out and let you know in March how they worked out.

http://drrobertlaprademd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/biologic-treatments-sports-injuries-current-concepts-future-research-part-1.pdf

might want to give this a read, its up to date, its local to your area, and its under my surgeon, who consider one of the best in the world.

Barmskihttp://drrobertlaprademd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/biologic-treatments-sports-injuries-current-concepts-future-research-part-1.pdf

might want to give this a read, its up to date, its local to your area, and its under my surgeon, who consider one of the best in the world.

Thanks!

LivingDaLifeAfter 6 months of PT over the summer with no impact sports, my knees were back to horrible after about two days of skiing in November. I'm planning on getting the injections in mid January after I finish this stretch of teaching ski school. It'll almost end my season (they say 6-8 week rehab period, so I assume I'll be at least 8 weeks) but worth it if I can ski hard again next year. I've read several studies online about the PRP shots and it seems like they're pretty effective usually. I guess I'll find out and let you know in March how they worked out.

right on man! Well keep us updated. I would consider it after ski season, sounds like your knees are probably worse than mine so why not try it! Best of luck dude.