What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses a concentrated preparation of a patient's own blood platelets and growth factors to support the body's natural healing processes in areas of injury or degeneration. Because PRP is derived from the patient's own blood, it is classified as an autologous procedure not a drug or foreign substance.
At BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) in Astoria, Queens, PRP therapy is offered selectively and responsibly as part of our sports medicine and orthopedics and regenerative care programs. Treatment decisions are based on careful clinical evaluation PRP is not appropriate for every patient or every condition, and our providers will discuss candidacy, realistic expectations, and all relevant risks before proceeding.
The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. PRP therapy requires a clinical evaluation by a licensed provider to determine appropriateness for your specific condition. Results vary between patients and are not guaranteed. PRP is not FDA-approved as a drug, though the equipment used is FDA-cleared.
Musculoskeletal Conditions Commonly Addressed
PRP has been studied and used clinically for a range of musculoskeletal conditions involving joints, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue. The evidence base for PRP varies by condition some indications have stronger clinical support than others. At BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC), our providers discuss the available evidence with each patient as part of the consultation process.
Candidacy for PRP therapy is determined individually through a clinical evaluation. Our providers also offer on-site digital X-ray to support diagnostic evaluation of musculoskeletal complaints when clinically appropriate.
Knee Osteoarthritis
One of the more studied indications for PRP. Used as an adjunct in patients with mild to moderate knee arthritis who have not responded adequately to conservative care. Not a replacement for joint replacement when surgically indicated.
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Chronic tendon degeneration at the lateral elbow. PRP has been studied as an option for patients with persistent symptoms following physical therapy and other conservative treatments.
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Shoulder tendon degeneration and partial-thickness injuries. PRP may be considered as part of a comprehensive management plan in appropriate patients following clinical and imaging evaluation.
Plantar Fasciitis
Chronic heel pain from plantar fascia degeneration. PRP has been explored as an option for patients with persistent symptoms who have completed standard conservative care protocols.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Chronic Achilles tendon degeneration. PRP therapy may be discussed as a regenerative option for patients with ongoing symptoms despite appropriate conservative management.
Other Tendon and Ligament Conditions
Other musculoskeletal tendon, ligament, or soft tissue conditions may be evaluated for PRP candidacy on an individual basis. Your provider at BreezeMed will assess your specific clinical situation.
PRP therapy is not appropriate for all patients or all musculoskeletal conditions. It is used selectively and responsibly at BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC), based on clinical findings, patient history, and medical appropriateness. It is not a first-line treatment and is typically considered after conservative care has been attempted. A thorough evaluation is required before any treatment is administered.
Your Consultation at BreezeMed
Before PRP therapy is considered, our providers at BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) conduct a thorough clinical evaluation. This assessment allows us to determine whether PRP is appropriate for your condition, review your prior treatment history, and identify any contraindications that would make PRP unsuitable or unsafe. Learn more about our medical team.
What Your Evaluation Includes
- Detailed musculoskeletal history onset, duration, mechanism of injury, prior treatments tried, and current functional limitations
- Physical examination assessment of the affected joint, tendon, or soft tissue structure including range of motion, strength, and palpation findings
- Review of prior imaging X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound studies if available; on-site digital X-ray available when clinically appropriate
- Medication review certain medications including NSAIDs, anticoagulants, and corticosteroids may affect PRP preparation or candidacy and require discussion before the procedure
- Contraindication screening including active infection, blood disorders, platelet dysfunction, malignancy, and other conditions that may preclude PRP use
- Discussion of realistic expectations honest, evidence-informed discussion of what PRP may and may not achieve for your specific condition, along with the available clinical evidence
- Alternative treatment options physical therapy, corticosteroid injection, shockwave therapy, and surgical referral are discussed as appropriate alternatives or complements to PRP
Patients taking NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), blood thinners, or corticosteroids should inform their provider at the time of consultation. These medications may need to be paused before the procedure. Do not stop any prescription medication without speaking to your provider first.
How PRP Therapy Works Step by Step
PRP therapy at BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) is performed in-office by a licensed provider. The entire session from blood draw through injection typically takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Most patients are able to return to light daily activities the same day, with strenuous activity restricted for a short period as directed by your provider.
Clinical Evaluation and Consent
Your provider reviews your history, examines the affected area, confirms candidacy, and discusses the procedure, risks, expected timeline, and realistic outcomes in full. Informed consent is obtained before any treatment proceeds.
Blood Draw
A small volume of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm similar to a standard blood test. The amount drawn is determined by the treatment area and protocol used.
PRP Processing Centrifugation
The blood sample is placed in an FDA-cleared centrifuge and spun at a precise speed to separate blood components. This concentrates the platelets and growth factors into a small volume of plasma the PRP preparation.
Injection into the Target Area
The concentrated PRP is injected precisely into the affected joint, tendon, or soft tissue by the licensed provider. The injection site is prepared with appropriate sterile technique. The procedure itself is brief.
Post-Procedure Care and Follow-Up
Your provider gives specific post-procedure instructions including activity restrictions, medication guidance (NSAIDs are typically avoided for a period after PRP), and when to expect any response. A follow-up visit is scheduled to monitor your progress and determine whether additional sessions may be appropriate.
Shockwave Therapy A Complementary Option
BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) also offers Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for musculoskeletal conditions. Shockwave therapy and PRP may be used independently or as complementary treatments depending on the patient's condition and clinical evaluation. Your provider will discuss which approach or combination is most appropriate for your situation.
Why Timely Evaluation Matters for Joint Pain
Many patients with chronic joint pain or tendon injuries delay seeking care either hoping the pain will resolve on its own, or assuming surgery is the only option. Early evaluation by a licensed provider allows for accurate diagnosis, appropriate conservative care, and timely consideration of regenerative options when indicated before the condition progresses.
BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) offers a coordinated approach to musculoskeletal care from initial evaluation and on-site imaging through Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) and virtual care follow-up supporting patients through each stage of recovery.
| Reason to Seek Evaluation | Benefit | At BreezeMed |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic joint or tendon pain not responding to rest or over-the-counter treatment | Accurate diagnosis and a structured treatment plan including regenerative options when appropriate | Available |
| Active athlete or worker wanting to avoid or delay surgery | Evidence-informed discussion of non-surgical and regenerative alternatives | Available |
| Prior cortisone or corticosteroid injections with diminishing results | Assessment of PRP or shockwave therapy as alternative regenerative options | Available |
| Need for on-site imaging to understand the extent of injury | On-site digital X-ray for musculoskeletal evaluation | Available |
| Need for convenient, accessible specialist-level care in Astoria | Open daily 9 AM to 9 PM on Steinway Street, Queens NY | Available |
Why Patients in Queens Choose BreezeMed
Residents of Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside, Ditmars Steinway, Jackson Heights, and surrounding Queens neighborhoods choose BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) for regenerative care because we combine physician-led clinical evaluation with accessible, neighborhood-based convenience.
Physician-Led Selectively and Responsibly Applied
PRP is not offered indiscriminately at BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC). Our licensed providers evaluate each patient individually and apply regenerative treatments selectively based on clinical findings and medical appropriateness. Learn more about our medical team.
Honest Discussion of Evidence and Expectations
Our providers give patients an honest, evidence-informed picture of what PRP can and cannot achieve. We do not overstate outcomes. Realistic expectations are set at the consultation, not after the procedure.
Integrated Musculoskeletal Care
BreezeMed offers a full range of musculoskeletal services under one roof sports medicine, on-site X-ray, Remote Therapeutic Monitoring, and injury evaluation supporting your care from diagnosis through recovery.
Open Daily 9 AM to 9 PM
BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) is open 365 days a year including evenings and weekends making it easy to schedule consultations and follow-up appointments without long waits or weekday-only availability.
Virtual Follow-Up Available
After your in-person treatment, follow-up monitoring can be conducted via virtual care at BreezeMed reducing the need for repeated in-person visits while keeping your recovery closely supported.
Conveniently Located on Steinway Street, Astoria
3274 Steinway Street, Astoria NY 11103 easily reachable from Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside, and Jackson Heights by bus, subway, or car. Get directions and contact information.
Common Questions About PRP Therapy
Have a question not answered below? Contact our team directly or book a consultation and ask your provider in person.
PRP therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses a concentrated preparation of a patient's own blood platelets and growth factors to support the body's natural healing process in areas of injury or degeneration. Blood is drawn from the patient, processed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and then injected into the target area by a licensed provider. Because it uses the patient's own blood, it is classified as an autologous procedure not a drug or foreign substance.
PRP uses the patient's own blood and is classified as an autologous procedure rather than a drug it does not require FDA drug approval in the way pharmaceuticals do. The equipment used to process PRP (centrifuges and collection kits) is FDA-cleared. PRP is not FDA-approved for specific musculoskeletal indications and is used at BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) selectively and responsibly based on clinical findings and medical appropriateness. Results are not guaranteed and vary between patients.
PRP has been studied and used clinically for conditions including knee osteoarthritis, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), rotator cuff tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and other tendon or ligament injuries. Candidacy for PRP is determined through a clinical evaluation by a licensed provider at BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) not all conditions or patients are appropriate for this treatment.
Most insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid currently do not cover PRP therapy for musculoskeletal conditions, as it is generally classified as investigational or elective by insurers. Patients typically pay out of pocket. BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) recommends confirming your specific coverage with your carrier before scheduling. Visit our insurance page for more information.
Because PRP uses the patient's own blood, allergic reactions are rare. Common side effects include temporary pain, swelling, or stiffness at the injection site typically resolving within a few days. Infection, nerve injury, and tissue damage are uncommon but possible risks with any injection procedure. Your provider at BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) will review all risks specific to your situation before proceeding no treatment is administered without informed consent.
The number of PRP sessions varies depending on the condition, its severity, and your individual clinical response. Some conditions may respond to a single injection; others may benefit from a series of treatments. Your provider at BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) will discuss the expected treatment course based on your specific situation and re-evaluate your progress at follow-up before recommending additional sessions.
Yes. PRP therapy is an appointment-based service at BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC). A clinical evaluation is required before any treatment is administered. Book online or call (347) 354-1328. Walk-ins are accepted for urgent care and injury evaluation but not for PRP or other specialty procedures.
A PRP session at BreezeMed (Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC) typically takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes from blood draw through injection, including blood processing time. Most patients return to light daily activities the same day. Strenuous activity is generally restricted for a short period after the procedure, as directed by your provider at the time of the visit.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. Evaluation and treatment require assessment by a licensed medical professional. PRP therapy results vary and are not guaranteed. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Coverage for services varies based on insurance plan, medical necessity, and eligibility. Some services may not be covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Services are provided in accordance with New York State scope-of-practice regulations.
Compliance Note: BreezeMed is the trade name of Health Wellness Medical Astoria PLLC, a physician-owned professional limited liability company. Administrative and non-clinical services are provided by Shifa Care Group LLC (MSO). All clinical services are delivered by licensed medical professionals in compliance with New York State law.