Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
Orange County, California

Healing from Within: Using Your Body’s Own Power to Recover.

What Is PRP Therapy?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a modern, regenerative-medicine approach that taps into your body’s natural healing potential. Rather than relying solely on medications or invasive surgery, PRP uses a small sample of your own blood, processed to concentrate your platelets — cells rich in growth factors — and then reintroduced into injured or damaged tissue. Because it comes from you, PRP minimizes the risk of allergic reactions or rejection.

In short: PRP gives your body a “jump-start” in repairing joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, or other soft tissues — helping reduce pain and improve function in a natural, minimally invasive way.

How It Works — The Science Behind the Healing

1. Blood draw & concentration — We draw a small amount of your blood (usually 20–60 mL) and spin it in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets.
2. Injection into target area — The platelet-rich plasma is injected precisely into the injured joint, tendon, ligament, or soft tissue — often using ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate placement.
3. Growth-factor release & healing cascade — Once injected, platelets release growth factors (like PDGF, VEGF, IGF, TGF-β, EGF) that signal the body to repair tissue, reduce inflammation, support new blood vessel formation, and rebuild damaged structures.
4. Recovery support and rehab — After injection, giving the treated area time to rest — followed by gradual rehabilitation or physical therapy — helps the regeneration process and restores strength, mobility, and function.

What Conditions Can PRP Help With?

PRP has a broad range of applications, particularly within sports medicine, orthopedics, and regenerative care. Some common examples include:

• Tendon injuries and tendinopathy (e.g., Achilles, patellar, hamstring, hip adductor, iliotibial band)
• Muscle sprains and soft-tissue strains
• Ligament injuries or joint sprains (e.g., knee sprains)
• Chronic joint problems and early osteoarthritis (hip, knee, etc.)
• Cartilage repair, joint degeneration, and some cartilage-related conditions
• Soft tissue injuries, overuse injuries (like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, tendonitis), and repetitive stress–related pain conditions
• In specific protocols: nerve-related injuries or nerve entrapment issues, when other conservative treatments have failed (depending on Dr. Sunshine’s assessment)

Benefits: Why Patients Choose PRP

• Natural & autologous — Since the treatment uses your own blood, there’s virtually no risk of rejection or immune reaction.  
• Minimally invasive & non-surgical — Avoids the risks and lengthy recovery associated with surgery.  
• Promotes actual healing — not just symptom management — PRP works by stimulating tissue repair and regeneration, rather than simply masking pain.
• Reduced reliance on medications — Because it helps heal tissue directly, PRP may decrease or eliminate the need for long-term pain medications, including opioids or anti-inflammatories.
• Potential for long-term improvement — For many patients, PRP has led to lasting reductions in pain and better functional outcomes — fewer flare-ups, improved mobility, and enhanced quality of life.

What to Expect — The PRP Procedure & Recovery

• Procedure itself is quick — After drawing your blood and preparing the PRP, the injection is typically done in a single visit, often under ultrasound guidance for precision.
• Mild downtime — Most patients can return to light activities soon after, but should treat the injection site gently and avoid strenuous use for 1–2 weeks.
• Recovery care — Rest, gentle care (ice or heat), and avoiding anti-inflammatory medications like NSAIDs — which may impair the healing process — are often recommended initially.
• Rehabilitation & strengthening — Once the initial healing begins (often a few weeks post-injection), physical therapy or guided rehab may be advised to restore strength, flexibility, and function.
• Results take time — Because PRP stimulates regeneration, improvements often unfold gradually over weeks to months. Some patients may respond after a single injection, while others benefit from multiple sessions, depending on the injury’s severity and location.  

Potential Risks & Limitations — What’s Important to Understand

While PRP is generally safe and well tolerated, it’s not a magic bullet — and results vary based on the patient, injury, and how the PRP is prepared. 

• Common side effects — Mild pain, swelling, stiffness, or bruising at the injection site are the most common. 
• Risk of infection or contamination — As with any injection, especially one involving blood processing, there is a small but real risk of infection if sterility is compromised. 
• Variable results — Not all conditions respond equally well; some patients may see little to no improvement. For example, certain studies of PRP for ankle osteoarthritis or tendinopathy showed limited benefit. 
• Lack of standardization — PRP preparation protocols (platelet concentration, presence of white blood cells, centrifuge methods, injection technique) vary widely across providers — which may affect outcomes.
• Not always a replacement for surgery or other treatments — Especially in severe structural damage, PRP may supplement but not necessarily replace surgical or more aggressive interventions.

Is PRP Right for You? — How We Determine Eligibility

PRP can be an excellent option for many — especially if you:

• Have chronic tendon, ligament, or soft-tissue injuries that haven’t healed with rest, physical therapy, or conservative care.
• Prefer a non-surgical, minimally invasive approach with lower risk and quicker recovery.
• Are committed to following through with post-injection care and rehabilitation.

That said, PRP may not be recommended if you have certain blood disorders, poor overall health, uncontrolled systemic disease, or in cases where structural damage is severe and unlikely to regenerate with biologic therapy alone. ([Yale Medicine][5])

Because many factors influence whether PRP is appropriate — including the type of injury, your medical history, and lifestyle — it’s best to discuss your individual situation with Dr. Sunshine.

Our Approach at OC Sports and Wellness

At OC Sports and Wellness, we believe in giving your body the best possible environment for healing. Our PRP treatments are delivered with precision — often using ultrasound guidance for accurate placement — and are combined with a thoughtful recovery plan that includes rest, appropriate aftercare and follow-up, and, when indicated, physical therapy to restore strength and function.

We’ll work with you to determine whether PRP therapy aligns with your health goals, lifestyle, and recovery expectations.