Orthobiologic Myth #7: “Older Adults Don’t Respond to PRP”
- cassis101
- Oct 23
- 2 min read
By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano
Orthobiologic Myth #7: “Older Adults Don’t Respond to PRP”
There’s a persistent myth that once you cross a certain age, regenerative medicine is off the table. That your platelets are “too old” or your body no longer knows how to repair itself.
That simply isn’t true.
It’s accurate that platelet viability and stem-cell activity gradually decline with age, and that certain medications (like platelet inhibitors or anti-inflammatories) can blunt the biological signal PRP depends on. But here’s the reality: if your body can still heal a cut, you still have the capacity for repair provided the treatment is executed with precision, personalization, and the right biologic strategy.
Age doesn’t erase biology—it rewrites it.
“Older Adults Don’t Respond to PRP” is just a myth. At Pain Experts, PRP isn’t a one-size-fits-all procedure. It’s tailored biology. We adjust everything from platelet concentration to activation method based on your hormone balance, medication use, and tissue target.
Hormone optimization plays a crucial role in cellular signaling and recovery. Estrogen, testosterone, and growth hormone directly affect the efficiency of platelet growth factors and the tissue response they trigger.
Platelet concentration is customized. Younger patients may thrive on lower-dose PRP, while older adults often benefit from higher platelet yields or combination approaches that include platelet-poor plasma (PPP) to reduce inflammation.
Tissue health matters. A mildly arthritic knee or a torn tendon in a 70-year-old can respond beautifully to PRP. But a spine with multilevel collapse, severe facet degeneration, and posterior element disruption presents a different challenge.
I’ve seen 50-year-olds with spines that looked 80, and 80-year-olds who were still flexible and strong. Degeneration isn’t purely chronological, it’s biological.
In severely degenerated cases, the limitation isn’t age. It’s the mechanical environment. When joint surfaces are too disrupted or the load-bearing structures have collapsed, biologic repair can only go so far. In these rare situations, subsequent treatments may help stabilize symptoms, but expectations must remain realistic and cost-conscious.
Still, for many older adults with moderate arthritis, partial tendon tears, or early degenerative disc changes, PRP can be remarkably effective restoring function and reducing pain without surgery.
The Protector Principle: Personalization Over Assumption
Age doesn’t disqualify you.It simply demands a tailored protocol—adjusting biologic dosing, addressing hormones, and targeting the right structures with precision guidance.
Regenerative medicine works best when the right patient, the right dose, and the right delivery method come together.
Schedule a precision evaluation today
Don’t let outdated assumptions about age limit your options. If you’re experiencing joint pain or spine stiffness and wondering whether regenerative treatments can still work for you, it starts with a consultation that looks at your whole biology—not just your birth year.
Schedule a precision evaluation today at Pain Experts to see how customized PRP and orthobiologic treatments can enhance your function and comfort at any age.
Comments