BOARD CERTIFIED IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY
Biologic Injections for Orthopaedic & Sports Conditions
Book an AppointmentPRP & BMAC: Advanced, Personalized Treatment Using Your Own Biology
When pain, injury, or arthritis limits your ability to move and perform at your best, biologic treatments may offer another option to consider.
As an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports and musculoskeletal conditions, I offer Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) injections for carefully selected patients with tendon injuries, sports-related conditions, joint degeneration, and cartilage problems.
These treatments use biologic material obtained from your own body and are designed to support the body’s natural healing and recovery processes.
What Are Biologic Injections?
Biologic injections use substances derived from a patient’s own blood or bone marrow to treat targeted areas of the musculoskeletal system.
Unlike medications that are designed primarily to reduce symptoms, biologic treatments are intended to work with the body’s own biological processes. They may be considered when conventional treatments have not provided sufficient improvement or when a patient is looking for nonoperative treatment options.
Two of the biologic treatments I offer are PRP and BMAC.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP is created from a small sample of your own blood. The blood is processed to concentrate platelets and other blood components. The resulting preparation is then injected into the affected area.
Platelets contain signaling proteins and growth factors that play an important role in the body’s natural response to tissue injury.
PRP may be considered for:
Tendon & Soft-Tissue Conditions
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy
- Hamstring and other chronic tendon injuries
- Selected overuse and sports injuries
Joint Conditions
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Selected hip, ankle, and shoulder conditions
- Certain degenerative joint conditions
Cartilage & Sports-Related Conditions
- Selected cartilage injuries
- Chronic or recurrent sports-related conditions
- Certain injuries that have not responded adequately to conventional care
PRP is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Different preparation methods produce different biologic compositions, and treatment is individualized according to the diagnosis and goals of each patient.
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)
BMAC is another autologous biologic treatment. A small amount of bone marrow is obtained, typically from the pelvis, and processed to concentrate cells and other components of the marrow.
The concentrate can then be delivered to a targeted area when clinically appropriate.
BMAC may be considered for selected patients with:
- Knee and other joint osteoarthritis
- Cartilage injuries and degenerative cartilage conditions
- Selected post-traumatic joint problems
- Certain tendon and ligament conditions
- Selected bone and musculoskeletal conditions
BMAC is a more involved procedure than a standard injection, making careful patient selection and individualized treatment planning particularly important.
Which Treatment Is Right for You?
There is no single biologic treatment that is appropriate for every patient.
The decision to use PRP, BMAC, another treatment, or no injection depends on several factors, including:
- Your specific diagnosis
- Severity and duration of your condition
- Imaging findings
- Activity and athletic goals
- Previous treatments
- Overall health
- Expectations and treatment goals
Your evaluation may include a detailed history, physical examination, X-rays, MRI, ultrasound, or other diagnostic studies when appropriate
If a biologic treatment is recommended, we will discuss what the treatment involves, what the evidence suggests, potential benefits and limitations, alternatives, risks, and expected recovery before proceeding.
Biologics as Part of a Comprehensive Treatment Plan
Biologic injections are most effective when incorporated into an overall treatment strategy rather than viewed as an isolated procedure.
Depending on your condition, your treatment plan may include:
Physical Therapy
Targeted rehabilitation to restore strength, mobility, and function.
Activity Modification
Temporarily modifying activities that aggravate your condition while maintaining appropriate movement and conditioning.
Strength & Conditioning
Addressing muscular weakness, flexibility, movement patterns, and biomechanics that may contribute to symptoms.
Biologic Treatment
PRP or BMAC may be considered when appropriate for the specific condition.
Surgery When Necessary
For conditions where structural correction is required, surgery may provide the most appropriate treatment.
A Thoughtful, Evidence-Based Approach
Biologic treatments have generated considerable interest in orthopaedics and sports medicine, but they are not miracle cures—and they do not work equally well for every condition.
My approach is to begin with an accurate diagnosis and determine whether biologic treatment is medically appropriate for the individual patient. The goal is to provide realistic expectations and choose the treatment that offers the best balance of potential benefit, safety, and long-term function.
Get Back to the Activities You Love
Whether you’re an elite athlete, a weekend warrior, or simply want to remain active and independent, the goal of treatment is the same: to reduce pain, improve function, and help you return to the activities that matter to you.
If you are experiencing persistent joint, tendon, or sports-related pain, schedule an evaluation to determine whether PRP, BMAC, or another treatment option may be appropriate for you.
