Orthobiologic myth number 11 “PRP Doesn’t Work” A Misinterpretation of Technique, Not Science
- cassis101
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano
Recently, a patient shared that during his MRI, a radiology technologist told him, “PRP really doesn’t work for most people.”
The statement wasn’t malicious but it was incomplete. And for patients trying to make informed decisions, incomplete information is often the most damaging kind.
“PRP Doesn’t Work” A Misinterpretation of Technique, Not Science
When you hear that PRP is unreliable, the issue is almost never the biologic itself. It is how the PRP was prepared, where it was placed, and whether the entire functional unit was evaluated.
In many clinical environments, PRP injections are:
Extremely dilute
Injected only into the joint
Performed without ultrasound or fluoroscopic precision
Provided without assessing the surrounding stabilizing structures
Under these circumstances, outcomes naturally vary.
Why Comprehensive Evaluation Determines PRP Success
A joint does not exist in isolation. Pain rarely comes from a single structure. And regenerative procedures must reflect that reality.
For example:
A shoulder joint treated with PRP may fail if the labrum, rotator cuff, or supporting ligaments remain unaddressed.
A knee treated without evaluating the MCL, LCL, meniscus, and surrounding stability envelope may not respond.
A cervical spine issue can perpetuate shoulder dysfunction unless both regions are examined together.
When only one component receives treatment, the result is what I call a partial solution and partial solutions produce partial outcomes.
This is why Regenexx-developed protocols emphasize:
Precision dosing
Concentration-verified biologics
Real-time diagnostic ultrasound
Identification of ligamentous and fascial contributions
Individualized treatment plans
Evidence based on over 20 years of patient outcome data and multiple peer-reviewed RCTs
The problem is not PRP itself. The problem is variability in how PRP is prepared, dosed, and delivered.
Evidence in 2025 Supports the Right Kind of PRP
The current landscape of randomized controlled trials shows:
Higher-dose PRP outperforms corticosteroids in multiple joints
Advanced preparations outperform low-concentration legacy kits
Image-guided PRP improves outcomes versus blind injections
Functional-unit treatment produces higher patient satisfaction
Not all PRP studies are equivalent. Some include extremely dilute preparations—levels far below what is now known to be clinically effective.
When the biologic is too weak or when the structural diagnosis is incomplete, the conclusion becomes: “PRP doesn’t really work. "In truth: The wrong PRP doesn’t work.
A Precision, Full-System Orthobiologic Evaluation
My approach is simple, structured, and consistent:
Start with an in-depth structural evaluation + live ultrasound + full biomechanical review.
Identify every contributor to the patient’s pain Joints, ligaments, tendons, fascia, and spinal drivers.
Determine the correct biologic, PRP platelet-poor plasma, micro-fragmented fat, or bone marrow concentrate depending on the severity of tissue injury.
Follow validated orthobiologic protocols. Concentration-verified, image-guided, functional-unit oriented, Regenexx-compliant.
This is the difference between “PRP didn’t work” and "The right treatment addressed the right structures with the right technique.”
If Someone Told You PRP “Doesn’t Work,” It’s Time for a Real Evaluation
If you’ve been discouraged by inconsistent messages about PRP or regenerative medicine, you are not alone. Most patients are surprised to learn that their outcomes depend more on technique, dosing, and diagnostic precision than the biologic itself.
When you are ready for a comprehensive, evidence-based evaluation, you may schedule a consultation directly through my clinic.
Your next step begins with clarity—not assumptions.
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