Orthopedics · Autologous biologic therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in Boulder.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous therapy, meaning it is made from your own blood. We concentrate the platelets and the growth factors they carry, then deliver them under image guidance to support your body's own repair of tendons, ligaments, and joints.
What PRP can help with
Conditions we most often consider PRP for.
The evidence for PRP is strongest in tendon and ligament problems and in mild-to-moderate arthritis. Whether it makes sense for you depends on your imaging, the stage of the condition, and how your body responds. We go over this together at your consultation.
Knee OA
Mild-to-moderate arthritis, knees after meniscus surgery, and cartilage injuries.
Rotator cuff
Partial-thickness tears, tendinopathy, post-surgical pain.
Tennis & golfer's elbow
Lateral and medial epicondylitis after conservative care.
Achilles tendinopathy
Insertional and midportion Achilles with persistent symptoms.
Plantar fasciitis
Chronic heel/arch pain after PT and night splinting.
Hip & SI joint
Hip OA, gluteal tendinopathy, sacroiliac dysfunction.
Hamstring strains
High-grade strains and proximal tendinopathy.
Other joint & tendon
Hand, wrist, ankle, discussed case-by-case.
Learn
What is PRP?
We make PRP from a small sample of your blood. A centrifuge spins the blood in two steps to concentrate the platelets, along with the growth factors and signaling proteins they carry.
PRP works through signaling. The growth factors it releases can start the body's own repair process, adjust inflammation, and support the gradual rebuilding of tissue. PRP changes the conditions around the injury. It does not replace damaged tissue, and it cannot guarantee that tissue regrows.
PRP is a category of preparations, not one product. They differ in platelet concentration, white blood cell (leukocyte) content, red blood cell content, total volume, and anything added to them. We measure each preparation in our lab so we know what we're delivering, and we adjust the recipe to the condition being treated.
Regulatory Disclaimer
Platelet-rich plasma is an autologous biologic product prepared from a patient's own blood. PRP has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of specific diseases or musculoskeletal conditions. Clinical use is based on physician judgment, current scientific evidence, and individualized patient evaluation. No claims are made regarding guaranteed outcomes, tissue regeneration, or disease modification.
The procedure, step by step
How the PRP visit works.
In one visit, we draw your blood, spin it twice in our lab to concentrate the platelets without damaging them, and inject the PRP under imaging guidance.
Blood collection
We draw blood from a vein into tubes that keep it from clotting, and record your platelet count before processing.
Plasma separation
A first, gentle "soft spin" separates the plasma from the red blood cells without damaging the platelets.
Platelet concentration
Second, higher-force "hard spin" pellets platelets. PPP removed; resuspended to target concentration.
Image-guided delivery
Dr. Glowney delivers with ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. Non-acidic, non-platelet-toxic anesthetics for comfort.
Biologic response
Your body's response builds over several weeks. We reassess at 12 to 16 weeks.
One patient's imaging
MRI from one patient, before and after PRP.
Imaging from one of our patients before and after a course of PRP therapy at our Boulder clinic.
This is an example of a patient's results from PRP therapy at Boulder Biologics. We caution that these results are the exception and would not be expected in more advanced or diffuse arthritis. Outcomes depend on patient selection, joint stage, and biological response.
On-site biologics lab
Two-spin centrifugation, characterized on site.
Every preparation moves through two validated centrifugation steps and is characterized for platelet concentration and viability before delivery.
Our facilities page lists the lab equipment, how the cleanroom is qualified, and how we track each sample from draw to injection. See our facilities & biologics lab →
Talking it through
When PRP is the right starting point.
PRP is a supporting treatment. We use it alongside rehabilitation and changes in activity, which stay part of your plan.
What we look at together
- Mild-to-moderate arthritis, or a tendon or ligament problem
- Symptoms that have continued despite physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), and changes in activity
- MRI or ultrasound images of the area, if you have them
- Being able to skip NSAIDs and follow activity guidance in the first weeks after the injection
- Expecting gradual change over 4 to 12 weeks
PRP, answered
Questions we hear most often.
How much does PRP cost in Boulder? +
PRP pricing depends on the joint, the number of sites, and whether it's combined with hyaluronic acid or other agents. We discuss the cost with you when you book your service and supply documentation for HSA/FSA reimbursement where applicable.
In most cases PRP is not covered by commercial insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid: it's typically an out-of-pocket expense.
How long does PRP take to work? +
Many patients note progressive improvement over 4 to 12 weeks. We schedule functional follow-up at 6 and 12 weeks to track progress objectively, and reassess meaningful response at 12–16 weeks.
Is PRP painful? +
The procedure is performed in-clinic with local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance. Most patients report mild post-procedural soreness for 24 to 72 hours. Pain perception varies depending on the anatomic location, the underlying condition, and individual sensitivity.
What conditions is PRP used for? +
PRP is most often considered for mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis, partial tendon tears, ligament sprains, and chronic enthesopathies, including tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinopathy.
How is Boulder Biologics PRP different? +
Our PRP is prepared in an on-site biologics lab with dual-spin density-gradient processing, characterized for platelet concentration and viability, and delivered with real-time ultrasound guidance by Dr. Glowney. Recipes are tuned to indication (Lp-PRP for joints, Lr-PRP for tendons, LD-PRP for perineural) and every preparation is documented under PAW/DEPA reporting frameworks.
Selected references
What the literature says.
Some studies our PRP framing draws from. Full PDFs available at consultation.
- Bansal H, Leon J, Pont JL, et al. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in osteoarthritis (OA) knee: correct dose critical for long term clinical efficacy. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):3971.
- Di Martino A, Di Matteo B, Papio T, et al. Platelet-rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid injections for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: results at 5 years of a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med. 2019;47(2):347–354.
- Bennell KL, Paterson KL, Metcalf BR, et al. Effect of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma vs placebo injection on pain and medial tibial cartilage volume in patients with knee osteoarthritis: the RESTORE randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021;326(20):2021–2030.
- Mishra AK, Skrepnik NV, Edwards SG, et al. Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma for chronic tennis elbow: a double-blind, prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial of 230 patients. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(2):463–471.
- DeLong JM, Russell RP, Mazzocca AD. Platelet-rich plasma: the PAW classification system. Arthroscopy. 2012;28(7):998–1009.
- Magalon J, Chateau AL, Bertrand B, et al. DEPA classification: a proposal for standardising PRP use and a retrospective application of available devices. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2016;2(1):e000060.
Related therapies
Where PRP fits in the broader practice.
Schedule a call
Find out if PRP is the right next step.
Dr. Glowney reviews your imaging, history, and prior treatments. Honest recommendation, PRP, a different biologic, or another path entirely.
720-550-6175