What Is PRP Therapy and How Does It Work?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses your own blood to accelerate healing in damaged joints, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue. At ProActive Choice in Bend, Oregon, Dr. Drew Collins MD uses PRP therapy as part of a broader regenerative medicine program designed to help patients heal naturally — without surgery or long-term pharmaceutical dependency.

The procedure starts with a simple blood draw. Your blood is then placed in a centrifuge that spins it at high speed, separating the platelet-rich plasma from red blood cells. The resulting concentrate — which contains 5-10 times the normal concentration of growth factors — is then injected directly into the area of injury or degeneration. These growth factors signal the body to mount an active healing response, stimulating cellular repair and tissue regeneration at the injection site.

What Conditions Does PRP Treat?

PRP therapy is effective for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. At ProActive Choice in Bend, Dr. Collins uses PRP for patients dealing with:

• Knee pain and osteoarthritis — PRP is one of the most studied regenerative therapies for knee OA and has shown strong results in reducing pain and improving function compared to cortisone injections
• Rotator cuff injuries — Shoulder tendons heal slowly due to poor blood supply. PRP delivers concentrated growth factors directly to the injury site to accelerate healing
• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow — Lateral and medial epicondylitis respond very well to PRP when conservative treatments have failed
• Achilles tendinopathy — Chronic Achilles tendon pain is notoriously slow to heal. PRP has become a preferred treatment for active patients in Bend who need to stay active
• Hip pain and labral tears — PRP can reduce inflammation and support tissue integrity in the hip joint
• Spinal and lumbar disc injuries — PRP injections into facet joints or around spinal discs can reduce inflammation and pain
• Post-surgical recovery — PRP used after orthopedic surgery can accelerate healing and reduce rehabilitation time
• Plantar fasciitis — Heel pain that has not responded to stretching, orthotics, or steroid injections often responds well to PRP

PRP vs. Cortisone: Why Regenerative Beats Anti-Inflammatory

For decades, cortisone injections have been the standard response to joint pain. They work — but only by suppressing inflammation, not by healing the underlying tissue. Repeated cortisone injections can actually degrade cartilage and weaken tendons over time.

PRP works differently. Rather than masking inflammation, it harnesses the body’s own healing biology to repair the damaged tissue. Patients treated with PRP frequently experience longer-lasting relief with no cartilage degradation risk. For patients in Bend who are physically active — skiers, hikers, cyclists, runners — PRP aligns with a lifestyle that values long-term tissue health, not just temporary pain relief.

What to Expect at ProActive Choice

A PRP appointment at ProActive Choice is outpatient and typically takes 60-90 minutes from blood draw to injection. Here is what to expect:

1. Consultation: Dr. Collins reviews your imaging (MRI or X-ray if available), symptom history, and functional goals. He determines the appropriate injection site and protocol.
2. Blood draw: A small amount of blood — typically 15-60 mL — is drawn from your arm.
3. Centrifugation: The blood is spun in an FDA-cleared centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
4. Injection: Using imaging guidance when appropriate, the PRP concentrate is injected precisely into the target tissue.
5. Recovery: Most patients are observed for 15-20 minutes before leaving. You can return home the same day.

Plan for 24-72 hours of increased soreness at the injection site — this is the inflammatory response that initiates healing. Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) for at least 2 weeks after treatment as they blunt the healing cascade PRP is designed to trigger.

How Long Does PRP Take to Work?

PRP is not an immediate fix — it is a biological process. Most patients notice meaningful improvement between 4-8 weeks after treatment, with full benefit often taking 3-6 months to manifest. This timeline reflects the biological reality of tissue regeneration, which is slower than pharmaceutical suppression but produces lasting, structural improvement.

Some patients need 2-3 PRP sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart for optimal results, particularly in chronic or advanced cases. Dr. Collins assesses your response at follow-up appointments and adjusts the protocol accordingly.

PRP Therapy Cost in Bend, Oregon

PRP therapy at ProActive Choice typically ranges from $400-$1,200 per session depending on the area treated, the volume of PRP used, and whether imaging guidance is required. Some cases involve a single treatment; chronic conditions may benefit from a 2-3 session protocol.

Most insurance plans do not cover PRP therapy as it is still classified as investigational for many indications. Dr. Collins discusses all costs transparently during your consultation so you can make an informed decision. For patients pursuing a comprehensive regenerative approach, ProActive Choice can combine PRP with prolotherapy, exosome therapy, or peptide protocols at a coordinated treatment plan and cost.

Is PRP Therapy Right for You?

The best candidates for PRP therapy are patients who:

• Have a confirmed musculoskeletal injury, chronic tendinopathy, or joint degeneration
• Have tried conservative treatments (physical therapy, rest, NSAIDs) without adequate relief
• Want to avoid or delay surgical intervention
• Are active and motivated to participate in rehabilitation alongside treatment
• Do not have active infections, blood disorders, or platelet dysfunction

PRP is generally not appropriate for patients with active cancer, severe anemia, platelet disorders, or those on anticoagulant medications. A thorough evaluation with Dr. Collins establishes whether PRP is the right tool for your specific situation.

PRP Therapy in Bend, Oregon — FAQ

Where can I get PRP therapy in Bend, Oregon?

ProActive Choice in Bend, Oregon offers physician-supervised PRP therapy for joint pain, tendon injuries, and regenerative medicine. Dr. Drew Collins MD provides PRP as part of an integrated regenerative program that may also include prolotherapy, exosome therapy, and peptide protocols. Call (541) 808-7995 to schedule a consultation.

How many PRP injections do I need?

Many patients achieve significant improvement with a single PRP injection, particularly for acute injuries or mild-to-moderate joint conditions. Chronic conditions — advanced osteoarthritis, long-standing tendinopathy, or cases with significant structural damage — often benefit from 2-3 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Dr. Collins evaluates your response after the first treatment and makes a recommendation based on how your tissue is healing.

Does PRP injection hurt?

The injection itself is briefly uncomfortable — similar to any injection at that site. A local anesthetic is applied to minimize discomfort. Post-injection soreness lasting 1-3 days is common and expected — it is the sign that the healing response has been activated. Most patients in Bend return to light activity within 24-48 hours.

Can PRP be combined with other regenerative therapies at ProActive Choice?

Yes. ProActive Choice offers comprehensive regenerative medicine programs that can combine PRP with prolotherapy (for ligament and joint laxity), exosome therapy (for advanced cellular regeneration), and peptide therapy (systemic tissue repair support such as BPC-157). Dr. Collins designs integrated protocols tailored to your specific injury, goals, and timeline.

Is PRP covered by insurance in Oregon?

PRP is typically not covered by standard insurance plans in Oregon because most carriers classify it as experimental or investigational. ProActive Choice discusses pricing transparently during your consultation. Patients pursuing multiple regenerative treatments often benefit from package pricing. Call (541) 808-7995 for current rates.