PRP Therapy in Tempe, AZ — Ultrasound-Guided Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections

Living with a sore knee, a nagging tennis elbow or a shoulder that won’t let you sleep wears you down. Rest, ice and pain relievers can take the edge off, but when a tendon, ligament or joint problem won’t settle down on its own, the pain tends to linger for months. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a non-surgical option that uses your own blood to stimulate the body’s healing response and help it target the exact spot where you’re hurt. At Sellers Sports Medicine in Tempe, PRP is performed in-office by an experienced sports medicine physician, and the whole visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes.

What Is PRP Therapy?

Platelets are components of your own blood that release growth factors where there is injury or pain. PRP therapy concentrates those platelets and injects them into and around the injured or damaged tissue to create a healthier micro-environment for healing in ligaments, cartilage, tendons and joints.

Because PRP comes from your own blood, it is part of a group of treatments called orthobiologics — substances naturally found in the body that, in higher concentrations, may help stimulate the body’s healing response. High-level athletes have used PRP for many years to help them recover from pain and injury. Advances in orthobiologic medicine now make it available to any patient who is a good candidate.

Read the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) overview from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Signs PRP Therapy May Be Right for You

PRP is usually considered when pain from a soft-tissue or joint problem has hung on despite conservative care. You may be a candidate if:

• Tendon pain (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Achilles or rotator cuff) has lasted for weeks or months
• Arthritis in the knee, hip, shoulder or ankle is limiting your walking, golf game or workouts
• A ligament sprain or partial tear hasn’t fully recovered
• You’d like a non-surgical option, or you can’t or don’t want to have major surgery
• Cortisone shots haven’t given you lasting relief

Waiting it out isn’t always the answer. Chronic tendon and joint problems often change how you move, which can overload other areas. An evaluation with diagnostic ultrasound shows what’s actually going on so you can decide on a plan with confidence.

Conditions We Treat With PRP

PRP can be used for a wide range of conditions involving the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot, including:

Shoulder

Shoulder arthritis, rotator cuff tendinopathy and tears, labral tears, AC joint separation and recurrent instability. (Read: PRP for shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff tears)

Elbow, Wrist and Hand

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), elbow arthritis and instability, basal joint arthritis, trigger finger and TFCC tears. (Read: why PRP for tennis elbow might be the best idea)

Hip

Hip arthritis, bursitis, tendinopathy and labral tears. (Read: PRP for gluteal tendinopathy and lateral hip pain)

Knee

Knee arthritis, meniscus tears, patellofemoral syndrome, hamstring and biceps femoris tendinopathy, bursitis, sprains and knee instability. (Read: PRP for knee arthritis)

Ankle and Foot

Achilles tendon pain, ankle arthritis and instability, ligament sprains and tears, peroneal tendon tears, plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome. (Read: PRP for Achilles tendon pain)

Our PRP and Orthobiologic Treatment Options

PRP is one part of a broader orthobiologic approach. Depending on your diagnosis, Dr. Sellers may recommend PRP on its own or as part of a larger plan.

Orthobiologics covers the full range of treatments made from your own body’s tissues, including PRP and microfragmented adipose tissue. It’s a good place to start if you want to compare options.

Regenerative medicine is the broader term for treatments that work with the body’s own healing response to treat musculoskeletal pain instead of relying only on medication or surgery.

For more advanced joint arthritis, some patients are better suited to MFAT injections, which use your own processed adipose (fat) tissue to provide cushion and support. PRP can also be paired with MLS Laser Therapy; learn how in combining laser therapy with PRP.

How PRP Therapy Works: What to Expect

1. Evaluation. Dr. Sellers reviews your history, examines the area and uses diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound to see the injured tissue.
2. Blood draw. A small sample of your blood is taken.
3. Processing. The sample is spun in a centrifuge, which separates red blood cells from plasma. A second spin concentrates and isolates the platelets.
4. Ultrasound-guided injection. The concentrated PRP is injected into and around the damaged tissue, using ultrasound to guide placement. Read more about the difference ultrasound-guided injections make.
5. Recovery plan. You’ll get instructions for activity and follow-up.

At Sellers Sports Medicine, the PRP is concentrated enough that most treatments need only one injection rather than a series. The full process takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Results vary from person to person, and Dr. Sellers will talk through realistic expectations for your condition. For a deeper dive, see our comprehensive guide to PRP with MSK ultrasound.

PRP Therapy for Tempe Athletes and Active Adults

Tempe stays active year-round. Runners and cyclists around Tempe Town Lake, hikers on South Mountain and Papago, and golfers on courses across the Valley all put repeated stress on their knees, shoulders, elbows and Achilles tendons. Summer heat adds to the strain, and overuse injuries often follow. Pickleball has added a new wave of elbow, shoulder and knee complaints (see PRP for pickleball injuries in Tempe and PRP for golf injuries). The East Valley’s large active-adult population also deals with knee and shoulder arthritis that gets in the way of everyday life.

Our clinic on South Mill Avenue is a short drive for patients throughout the area.

Service-area line: We see PRP patients from Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Gilbert, Guadalupe and Ahwatukee.

• Experience. Dr. Joel S. Sellers, DO, has practiced sports medicine in the Phoenix area since 1987 and is a Fellow of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine.
• Elite-level care. He has served as team physician for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers and USA Wrestling.
• Precision. He is one of the few physicians in Arizona board certified in Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, so injections are guided to the right spot.
• One concentrated injection. Our PRP preparation is designed so most treatments need a single injection.
• Patients agree. 4.8 stars from 138 Google reviews. Read our patient reviews.

Learn more about Dr. Sellers and our team.

PRP Therapy FAQs

Is PRP therapy painful?

Most patients feel some pressure or soreness at the injection site, and soreness can last a few days. Dr. Sellers will explain what to expect for your specific area before treatment.

How many PRP injections will I need?

At Sellers Sports Medicine, our PRP is concentrated enough that most patients need only one injection for a given treatment rather than a series.

How long does a PRP appointment take?

About 45 to 60 minutes from the blood draw through the injection.

Is PRP surgery?

No. PRP is an in-office injection using your own blood. It does not involve surgery and can be an option for patients who can’t have, or want to avoid, major surgery.

What conditions can PRP treat?

PRP is commonly used for arthritis, tendon problems, ligament sprains and tears, and muscle injuries involving the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot.

Is PRP right for me?

That depends on your diagnosis, health history and goals. An evaluation with diagnostic ultrasound is the best way to find out. Results vary and no outcome is guaranteed.

Can PRP be combined with other treatments?

Yes. Some patients pair PRP with MLS Laser Therapy or physical rehab, and others with advanced arthritis may be better suited to MFAT. Dr. Sellers will recommend a plan for you.

Visit Our Tempe Clinic

Sellers Sports Medicine
1492 S Mill Ave, Suite 307, Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 426-2667 · Info@SellersSportsMed.com
Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Fri 9:00 am–1:00 pm

Related Services

• Orthobiologics
• Regenerative Medicine
• MFAT Injections
• MLS Laser Therapy