What Is PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy?
Most patients who come to me asking about PRP have already been through two or three rounds of cortisone shots. The shots worked for a month, maybe two — then the pain came back, often worse than before. They want something that actually fixes the problem, not temporarily quiets it.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a regenerative treatment that uses concentrated growth factors from your own blood to stimulate tissue repair at the site of injury. The idea is not to mask pain — it's to give your body the raw materials it needs to heal tissue that wasn't recovering on its own.
Dr. Rubin has been performing PRP injections on Long Island for years. He's seen results that change patients' lives — but he'll also tell you upfront at your consultation if he doesn't think you're a strong candidate, because PRP works best in specific situations.
How PRP Works
- Blood draw — A small amount of your blood is drawn (similar to a routine blood test)
- Centrifugation — The blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets and plasma
- Injection — The concentrated PRP solution is injected under image guidance directly into the damaged joint or tissue
- Healing — The growth factors in PRP signal your body to accelerate its natural repair process
The entire procedure takes approximately 45–60 minutes and is performed in the office under local anesthesia.
What Conditions Does PRP Treat?
- Knee osteoarthritis — One of the most studied applications; multiple trials show PRP outperforms corticosteroid injections for long-term relief
- Hip arthritis — Effective for early to moderate hip joint degeneration
- Shoulder pain — Rotator cuff tendinopathy, partial tears, labral irritation
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) — PRP is considered first-line regenerative treatment
- Plantar fasciitis — When steroid injections have failed
- Ankle sprains and ligament injuries
- SI joint pain
One important caveat: PRP is not a good fit for bone-on-bone arthritis where the joint space has completely collapsed. At that stage there's not enough remaining tissue to stimulate, and the response is typically poor. Dr. Rubin will be direct with you if he thinks you're past the window where PRP can realistically help.
What Results Can I Expect?
Most patients notice improvement beginning at 2–3 weeks after treatment as the healing process kicks in. Full results are typically seen at 3–6 months. In Dr. Rubin's experience, meaningful pain relief from PRP can last 3 or more years — far longer than corticosteroid injections.
Some patients require 2–3 treatments for optimal results, spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
PRP vs. Cortisone — What's the Real Difference?
| | Cortisone | PRP | |---|---|---| | Onset | 3–5 days | 2–3 weeks | | Duration | 1–3 months | 1–3+ years | | Mechanism | Reduces inflammation | Promotes healing | | Tissue effect | Can weaken tissue with repeated use | Strengthens tissue | | Frequency limit | 3–4/year | No limit |
The tradeoff is onset time. Cortisone is faster — if you need relief in three days before a trip or an event, it's the right tool for that moment. But if the goal is to actually fix the problem in a joint you're planning to use for another 20 or 30 years, the long-term data favor PRP, and that's what patients in Dr. Rubin's practice consistently report back.
FAQs
Is PRP covered by insurance? PRP is not covered by most insurance plans and is considered elective. Dr. Rubin's team will walk you through pricing and any available payment options at your consultation. There are no surprises.
Is the procedure painful? The injection site is numbed with local anesthetic. Most patients describe it as pressure, not pain. You'll likely have soreness for 3–5 days afterward — that's normal and is actually a sign the healing response has activated.
How many PRP treatments will I need? One to three, typically. Dr. Rubin recommends the minimum needed to get you where you want to be, not a standing series of injections. He'll reassess after each treatment before recommending another.
Is PRP safe? Because PRP uses your own blood, there's no foreign substance and essentially no risk of allergic reaction or rejection. Serious complications are extremely rare. It's one of the safest procedures we offer.
Can I combine PRP with other treatments? Yes — and often the best outcomes come from combining approaches. PRP pairs well with physical therapy, which helps the healing tissue remodel correctly. In some patients, Dr. Rubin combines PRP with other regenerative or interventional treatments depending on the complexity of the condition. The plan is built around your specific diagnosis, not a standard protocol.
Schedule Your PRP Consultation on Long Island
Call 516-492-3100 or request an appointment online. PRP therapy is available at our Lake Success and Garden City offices.