Services Offered by Dr. Mahooti

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

PRP is a regenerative procedure whereby your body’s natural reparative agents and growth factors are injected into an injured structure to stimulate healing.  The procedure is performed at the office. Your blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the healing factors, and then injected under ultrasound guidance (a critically important step) into the injured structure.  Numerous studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of PRP for a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, partial-thickness tendon tears, and tendinopathies such as those affecting the rotator cuff, elbow, hip, knee, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia. 

Choosing the Right Physician for a PRP Injection: Why It Matters

Not all PRP is the same.   PRP is not covered by insurance. PRP is an investment that warrants your due diligence: it is important for you to understand the following key factors that will influence your response to PRP. 

PRP Preparation Matters

Different PRP preparation systems produce very different PRP products.  The volume of blood drawn, concentration of platelets, presence or absence of white blood cells, and the final volume of PRP injected all affect outcomes.  The optimal PRP for a tendon, joint, or ligament is not always the same, and treatment should be tailored to the specific condition being treated. Dr. Mahooti takes all these factors into account.

Precision of Injection Is Critical

PRP must be placed exactly at the injured tissue to be effective. Ultrasound (US) guidance is essential as it allows the physician to see the injured structure (tendon, ligament, joint, or nerve) in real time and confirm accurate placement of the PRP.  Many studies demonstrate that US-guided injections are more accurate than “landmark based” injections (sometimes called “blind” injections). If you are considering PRP, be sure it is performed under US guidance by an experienced physician (Dr. Mahooti has performed many thousands of US-guided injections since 2009).

Diagnosis Drives Results

PRP works best when the correct problem is being treated.  Imaging alone does not tell the full story.  Just because an MRI or other imaging study shows an abnormality (arthritis, tendon tear, meniscus tear, labrum tear…) does not necessarily mean it is the cause of the problem.  Dr. Mahooti often sees patients who seek PRP to treat an abnormality on an MRI that is the suspected cause of their painful condition.  Such cases typically fall in one of the following three categories:

  1. The abnormality is an incidental finding and has little or nothing to do with the presenting problem. More effective options are discussed and PRP is not recommended.
  2. The abnormality is in fact the cause of the problem – but the likelihood that PRP will help is low.  More effective options are discussed and PRP is considered..    
  3. The abnormality is in fact the cause of the problem and PRP is likely to help.  PRP is recommended.

Experience and Training Matter

PRP is more than an injection — it’s a procedure. The physician’s experience and expertise with ultrasound and tissue-specific injection techniques all play a role in outcomes. Dr. Mahooti has been performing ultrasound-guided PRP injections for over 15 years, and he is an invited speaker at several national medical conferences and sports medicine meetings.

Post-Injection Plan Is Part of the Treatment

PRP is not a “one-and-done” solution. Recovery depends on how the injected structures and tissues are rehabilitated after the injection. A thoughtful plan for activity modification, rehabilitation, and follow-up helps the body respond to PRP and maximizes healing.

Expectations and Transparency

A physician who offers PRP should be able to explain clearly how it compares with other treatment options, set realistic expectations and timelines for improvement, and discuss factors that make PRP less likely to be effective. Dr. Mahooti often advises patients who inquire about PRP to consider other treatments that are covered by insurance. When he determines that PRP is the most appropriate treatment for you, he will explain his thinking and welcome your questions

Bottom Line:  PRP is more than an injection. It is an investment in a procedure performed by an expert physician with extensive experience in sports medicine and regenerative orthopedic care, who guides you through the entire process to help achieve the best possible outcome.