PRP treatment may be considered for selected joint, tendon, ligament, chronic sprain, SI joint, foot, or hypermobility-related pain patterns.
Learn how Dr. Siefferman uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to support the body's natural healing process and help treat chronic musculoskeletal pain and injuries.
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Hi, I’m Dr. Jason Siefferman, interventional pain specialist and medical director at Manhattan Pain Medicine. PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is obtained from the patient’s own blood. We draw the blood, we put it in a centrifuge, and then we extract about 9 or 10 mLs of very concentrated platelets within the plasma. We then use this to inject a site of injury. And generally this is muscle, tendon, joint, ligament, some mechanical structure that has been torn, sprained, or injured in some way.
What happens? The platelets stimulate a healing response. And this healing response is very similar to an actual injury inflammatory response. So I tell patients it will often feel like you broke a bone. It’ll feel like you sprained your ankle because that throbby, achy, intense, severe inflammatory response is the exact same process that occurs with PRP. Why are we doing this? Why are we causing pain? This is one of the more robust healing modalities that we have for a structure that has failed to heal properly. As part of this, we still need to understand why it didn’t heal properly in the first place.
If there’s an external mechanical force that’s preventing it from healing and we just throw PRP at it, it’s not going to fix anything. We’ve seen this a lot with hypermobile hips with labral tears or hypermobile knees with meniscus tears. If the hypermobility is not treated first and the joint is not stable and secure, we can heal that labrum with PRP or attempt to all we want, it will just retear.
When we’re using PRP or any other regenerative medicine modality, we want to make sure that we are understanding the full mechanical chain of the injury and the compensatory behaviors of that injury so that we can comprehensively treat the patient and make sure that they actually heal. We’re looking for an exit ramp from this cycle. It’s one modality that we use. We have others and we will talk to you about the breadth of possibilities and help you choose the one that’s most appropriate for the complexities of your specific situation.
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a regenerative medicine treatment made from a patient’s own blood. The blood is processed to concentrate platelets, then the PRP is injected into a selected tissue target when clinically appropriate. PRP treatment may be considered for certain joint, tendon, ligament, chronic sprain, foot, SI joint, or hypermobility-related pain patterns.
At Manhattan Pain Medicine, PRP treatment NYC care begins with diagnosis-first evaluation. The goal is to determine whether the pain source, tissue target, imaging, symptoms, and recovery plan support PRP, rather than treating it as a cure-all or a guaranteed alternative to surgery.
MPM specialists evaluate whether PRP may be appropriate by identifying the likely pain generator before recommending treatment. Joint pain, tendon pain, ligament pain, chronic sprains, SI joint pain, foot pain, pelvic-region symptoms, and hypermobility-related pain can come from different structures and may require different treatment plans.
MPM reviews the diagnosis, exam findings, imaging, prior injections, physical therapy response, instability patterns, inflammatory contributors, nerve involvement, and functional goals. This helps determine whether PRP, prolotherapy, BMAC, rehabilitation, bracing, diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound-guided injections, or another pathway is the better fit.
Many patients search for PRP injections in Manhattan after persistent pain has not improved enough with rest, medication, physical therapy, bracing, steroid injections, or orthopedic care. Others are exploring PRP because they want to avoid repeated steroid injections or better understand non-surgical options.
MPM approaches PRP carefully and realistically. PRP may be considered for selected musculoskeletal pain patterns, including certain tendon, ligament, joint, chronic sprain, instability-related, foot, or SI joint concerns. It is not appropriate for every patient or every pain generator. It should also be distinguished from unapproved stem cell, exosome, amniotic, or cord-derived products. PRP preparation methods vary, evidence differs by condition, and results are not guaranteed. MPM focuses on accurate diagnosis, careful target selection, ultrasound guidance when appropriate, informed consent, and follow-up rehabilitation when clinically needed.
PRP treatment may fit within MPM’s Hypermobility and Musculoskeletal issues expertise when a specific joint, tendon, ligament, or instability-related pain generator is identified. Patients with hypermobility, EDS-related pain, chronic sprains, joint instability, tendinopathy, SI joint pain, or recurrent musculoskeletal pain often need a treatment plan that accounts for biomechanics, tissue tolerance, strength, stability, and symptom sensitivity.
PRP is not a cure for EDS, hypermobility, arthritis, tendon injury, ligament injury, spine pain, or complex chronic pain. For selected patients, it may be one part of a broader plan that also includes bracing, rehabilitation, activity modification, medication management, ultrasound-guided injections, prolotherapy, BMAC, or specialist coordination. MPM evaluates whether PRP fits the anatomy, diagnosis, and functional goals before recommending treatment.
Before PRP treatment, MPM reviews the diagnosis, target structure, expected goals, risks, alternatives, preparation instructions, and recovery plan. During the procedure, blood is drawn from the patient and processed to concentrate platelets. The PRP is then injected into the selected joint, tendon, ligament, soft tissue, SI joint, foot, or other target when clinically appropriate. Ultrasound guidance may be used to support more precise placement.
Patients may feel pressure, soreness, or a temporary pain flare after the injection. Recovery varies depending on the area treated, diagnosis, and procedure plan. Some patients may need to avoid certain medications, modify activity, use bracing, or begin a gradual rehabilitation program. Relief, if it occurs, may be gradual. Follow-up helps determine whether PRP supported the treatment goal or whether another care pathway is needed.
These guys are the best. I've been going here for over 6 years and their familiarity with my Schwannomatosis (most ppl have never even heard of it - its rather rare) and their ability to diagnose my CRPS quickly and accurately and then treat it like I was merely getting a flu shot is just incredible...
Highly recommended for those who need Pain Management. Everyone at Manhattan Pain Medicine is extremely nice and helpful. I have had very good interactions with both Dr. Siefferman and Dr. Louis. All of the staff is very responsive. 5 stars.
The providers at Manhattan Pain Medicine are exceptional. I wish I had found them 30 years ago!
I genuinely can’t say enough good things about the team at Manhattan Pain Medicine. I have MCAS, EDS, and an inflammatory autoimmune disease, and I’ve basically been searching for answers since I was a kid. I had years of unexplained inflammation markers, chronic pain, and allergic reactions despite...
I have a complex medical history and have seen a lot of doctors over the years. Dr. Mikaberidze and Dr. Siefferman each took the time to really listen and understand everything I had been dealing with. I also appreciated how they work together and communicated about my care. I left with a plan that...
Sharing my gratitude for the pleasant experience last week during my visit, the medical team provided great care and also treated my session as a learning experience, I left my session with a wealth of knowledge. A big thank you to the kind, and professional staff who welcomed me to the office as a...
I cannot say enough good things about Manhattan Pain Medicine. From the moment I walked in, I felt truly cared for and taken seriously. Dr. Nino Mikaberidze, Director of Rheumatology, is exceptional — knowledgeable, compassionate, and incredibly thorough. She takes the time to listen, explains every...
Dr Siefferman is the most thorough, patient doctor I have even been to. Currently I travel from miami to nyc to see him because his bed side manner and desire to help is incomparable.
ZocDoc
This practice is wonderful. I have been a patient of Dr. Siefferman’s since 2019 and he’s extremely helpful and kind. He has brought in a Rheumatologist who is also great. They handle very complex pain issues and always try to find new ways to help me.
Dr. Siefferman is an incredible doctor! He is extremely diligent and knowledgeable. It feels like you are his only patient. He invests a lot of time and effort into your injuries and concerns. I did not find these wonderful qualities with other pain specialists before, who were always rushed and som...
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman is a doctor who combines the old world bedside manner of doctors from my childhood (60 years ago) with a sta te of the art embrace of modern technology. It is always a pleasure to have an appointment with him...always has options and solutions to my medical issues. He is truly the doc...
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman is a genius. He is very informed and listens attentively.
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman and his entire team continue to be efficient, dedicated, and driven by precision and a genuine desire to give fantastic care. Will always recommend.
ZocDoc
Doctor Siefferman is fantastic. Have been seeing him for 5 years. Couldn’t recommend more.
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman is the ONLY doctor who has ever been able to diagnose my pain and treat it. He is hands down the best
ZocDoc
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. It is a regenerative medicine treatment made from a patient’s own blood. The blood is processed to concentrate platelets, then the platelet-rich plasma is injected into a selected tissue target when clinically appropriate. PRP may be considered for certain joint, tendon, ligament, chronic sprain, foot, SI joint, or hypermobility-related pain patterns. It is not a cure-all and is not appropriate for every pain condition. MPM evaluates the diagnosis and target before considering PRP treatment NYC care.
PRP is made by drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood and processing it to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich portion. The preparation method can vary depending on the system used and clinical goal. After processing, the PRP is injected into a selected target, such as a tendon, ligament, joint, or soft tissue area, when appropriate. Because PRP preparation methods vary, outcomes and protocols may differ. MPM explains the planned approach before treatment.
PRP injections are intended to deliver a concentrated platelet-rich preparation to a selected tissue target. Platelets contain signaling proteins that may support a local healing response in some musculoskeletal conditions. PRP does not mechanically rebuild a joint, regenerate a disc, or guarantee tissue repair. Its potential role depends on the diagnosis, tissue condition, chronicity, biomechanics, and recovery plan. MPM uses PRP only when the clinical target and treatment rationale are clear.
PRP may be considered for selected musculoskeletal conditions, including some tendon pain, ligament pain, chronic sprains, joint pain, arthritis-related pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain, foot pain, SI joint pain, TFCC injury, and instability-related pain patterns. It may also be considered in some hypermobility-related cases when a specific target is identified. PRP is not appropriate for every condition and should not be used as a substitute for diagnosis, rehabilitation, surgery, or specialist care when those are needed.
PRP may be considered for selected joint pain patterns depending on the diagnosis, joint involved, tissue quality, severity, and treatment goals. Some patients explore PRP for arthritis-related pain, knee pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, or SI joint pain. PRP does not cure arthritis or restore cartilage in a guaranteed way. Joint pain may also come from ligament instability, tendon irritation, nerve pain, inflammatory disease, or referred spine pain. MPM evaluates the pain generator before recommending treatment.
PRP may be considered for selected tendon or ligament pain patterns, including certain chronic sprains, tendinopathy, partial soft tissue injuries, or instability-related symptoms. The right plan depends on the tissue involved, injury severity, duration of symptoms, biomechanics, prior treatment response, and rehabilitation needs. PRP is not appropriate for every tear or injury. Some patients may need physical therapy, bracing, diagnostic ultrasound, additional imaging, prolotherapy, BMAC, or surgical evaluation instead.
PRP may be considered for selected arthritis-related joint pain, especially when the goal is to reduce symptom burden and support function. Evidence varies by joint and condition, and PRP should not be presented as a cure for arthritis or a way to reliably regrow cartilage. Arthritis pain can also overlap with ligament strain, tendon pain, inflammation, nerve irritation, or altered mechanics. MPM evaluates the diagnosis, severity, imaging, and treatment history before considering PRP.
PRP may be considered for selected patients with hypermobility or EDS-related pain when a specific ligament, tendon, joint, or instability-related target is identified. It does not cure EDS, hypermobility spectrum disorder, joint instability, or complex chronic pain. Patients with hypermobility often need coordinated care, including stabilization, bracing, physical therapy, pacing, and evaluation for overlapping nerve or centralized pain. MPM determines whether PRP fits the patient’s anatomy, goals, and broader care plan.
Steroid injections are typically used to reduce inflammation and pain in a targeted area. PRP has a different goal. It uses a platelet-rich preparation from the patient’s own blood and is intended to support a local tissue response in selected cases. Steroids may work faster for some inflammatory pain patterns, while PRP may have a slower and more variable response. MPM determines which approach, if any, fits the diagnosis, tissue target, safety profile, and treatment goals.
PRP, prolotherapy, and BMAC are different regenerative medicine approaches. PRP is made from the patient’s blood and contains concentrated platelets. Prolotherapy involves injecting a solution into selected ligament, tendon, or joint-related targets to stimulate a local response. BMAC is prepared from bone marrow aspirate concentrate. Each has different preparation steps, potential uses, evidence limits, and recovery considerations. MPM evaluates which option, if any, fits the diagnosis and tissue target.
No. PRP is not the same as stem cell therapy. PRP is made from the patient’s own blood and is processed to concentrate platelets. Stem cell, exosome, amniotic, cord-derived, Wharton’s jelly, or adipose-derived products are different and often marketed with broad claims. Many of these products are not FDA-approved for orthopedic pain or chronic pain conditions. MPM distinguishes PRP from unsupported regenerative claims and discusses realistic expectations before treatment.
PRP is prepared from the patient’s own blood using devices that may be regulated, but PRP treatment itself is not FDA-approved as a cure for arthritis, tendon injury, ligament injury, spine pain, disc disease, pelvic pain, or chronic pain. Regulatory details depend on the device, preparation, and use. MPM does not present PRP as a guaranteed or universally approved regenerative solution. The decision to use PRP depends on diagnosis, evidence, safety, and informed consent.
Insurance coverage for PRP varies and is often limited. Many insurance plans consider PRP investigational or do not cover it for certain musculoskeletal or pain conditions. Coverage depends on the payer, diagnosis, policy, and procedure details. Patients should confirm benefits, authorization requirements, and out-of-pocket costs before treatment. MPM can help clarify the clinical rationale, but insurance decisions are made by the payer and specific policy.
Risks of PRP injections may include post-procedure pain flare, soreness, bruising, bleeding, infection, allergic reaction, nerve irritation, vascular injury, incomplete relief, temporary worsening, and persistent symptoms despite treatment. Risk depends on the target, technique, medical history, and recovery plan. PRP does not guarantee pain relief or healing. Urgent evaluation is needed for fever, spreading redness, severe swelling, new weakness, new numbness, loss of pulses, limb discoloration, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
MPM considers the diagnosis, pain generator, tissue target, imaging, exam findings, prior treatments, medical history, medication use, activity goals, instability patterns, inflammatory disease, nerve involvement, and rehabilitation plan. PRP may be considered when the target is clear and the expected benefits justify the risks and cost. If another option is more appropriate, MPM may recommend diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound-guided injections, prolotherapy, BMAC, physical therapy, bracing, medication management, or specialist evaluation.
Before care begins, our team helps patients understand the practical side of treatment, including insurance verification, out-of-network benefits, cost-share estimates, self-pay options, and billing questions. We believe patients should have as much clarity as possible before moving forward.
Jason W. Siefferman, MD
Jason W. Siefferman, MD
MPM
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a regenerative medicine treatment made from a patient’s own blood. The blood is processed to concentrate platelets, then the platelet-rich plasma is injected into a selected tissue target. PRP treatment may be considered for certain joint, tendon, ligament, chronic sprain, SI joint, foot, or hypermobility-related pain patterns.
At Manhattan Pain Medicine (MPM), PRP treatment NYC care begins with diagnosis-first evaluation. The goal is to determine whether the patient has a clear pain generator that may reasonably fit a PRP approach. PRP is not a cure-all, a guaranteed alternative to surgery, or a replacement for rehabilitation, medical management, or appropriate specialist care.
PRP is commonly discussed in the context of tendinopathy, ligament pain, chronic sprains, joint pain, arthritis-related pain, and certain orthopedic injuries. Patients may ask about PRP for knee pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, foot pain, SI joint pain, TFCC injury, labral tear symptoms, meniscal symptoms, or hypermobility-related instability.
The potential role of PRP depends on the specific diagnosis. A patient with tendon degeneration may need a different plan than a patient with ligament laxity, joint arthritis, nerve irritation, inflammatory disease, or referred spine pain. MPM evaluates the structure involved, how long symptoms have been present, what treatments have already been tried, and whether the patient is prepared for the recovery and rehabilitation process.
PRP and steroid injections have different goals. Steroid injections are typically used to reduce inflammation and pain in a targeted area. PRP is intended to support a local tissue response in selected cases. Steroids may provide faster relief for some inflammatory conditions, but repeated steroid use may not be appropriate for every tissue or patient. PRP may have a slower and more variable response.
Neither treatment is automatically better. MPM determines whether PRP, steroid injection, prolotherapy, BMAC, medication management, rehabilitation, or another pathway fits the diagnosis and care goals.
Patients with EDS, hypermobility spectrum disorder, chronic sprains, ligament laxity, or joint instability often ask whether PRP can help. PRP may be considered when a specific tendon, ligament, joint, or instability-related target is identified. However, it does not cure EDS or hypermobility, and it should not replace stabilization, strengthening, pacing, bracing, or coordinated rehabilitation.
Hypermobility-related pain can involve instability, muscle guarding, nerve sensitivity, central sensitization, proprioceptive challenges, and recurrent injury. PRP may be one tool for selected targets, but the broader plan often matters just as much as the injection.
PRP may be considered for selected SI joint, spine-adjacent, foot, or peripheral musculoskeletal pain patterns when the target is clear. SI joint pain can be mechanical, inflammatory, hypermobility-related, degenerative, or referred from the spine. Foot pain may involve tendons, ligaments, Morton’s neuroma, tarsal tunnel syndrome, metatarsalgia, or other contributors. Pelvic-region pain may involve pelvic floor dysfunction, pudendal neuralgia, pelvic dystonia, or musculoskeletal structures, but PRP should only be considered when a specific target and rationale are present.
Some conditions require other evaluation first, including diagnostic ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, nerve testing, rheumatology care, neurology care, pelvic specialty care, or surgical consultation.
PRP evidence varies by condition, preparation method, target, and patient factors. Some patients may experience pain or function improvement, while others may not respond. PRP should not be described as guaranteed healing, cartilage regrowth, ligament reconstruction, disc regeneration, nerve regeneration, or permanent repair.
Patients should also be cautious about products marketed as stem cell, exosome, amniotic, cord-derived, Wharton’s jelly, or adipose-derived regenerative treatments for orthopedic pain or chronic pain. Many of these products are not FDA-approved for those uses. MPM keeps PRP treatment grounded in realistic expectations and informed consent.
After PRP, patients may experience soreness or a temporary pain flare. Recovery may require activity modification, avoiding certain medications, bracing, gradual loading, and physical therapy depending on the treated area. Follow-up helps determine whether the treatment supported the goal or whether another step is needed.
Patients should seek urgent evaluation for fever, spreading redness, severe swelling, new weakness, new numbness, bowel or bladder dysfunction, saddle anesthesia, chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, major trauma, suspected infection, loss of pulses, limb discoloration, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
For selected patients, PRP may be a useful part of musculoskeletal pain care. MPM’s role is to determine whether the diagnosis, tissue target, safety profile, and recovery plan support treatment within a coordinated, medically responsible framework.
