If knee pain from arthritis or wear-and-tear is limiting your walking, stairs, or sleep, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one option we use to support joint comfort and function — without jumping straight to surgery. At Regenerative Medicine at UPC, Dr. Rainier Guiang, MD evaluates whether PRP is a good fit for your knee and goals in a focused cash-pay consult.
Cash-pay note: These regenerative treatments are elective and generally not covered by insurance. We provide a clear plan and pricing before you decide. Superbill available on request.
Who this is for
- Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis
- Persistent knee pain after rest, PT, or bracing
- Patients hoping to delay or avoid knee replacement (results vary; not a guarantee)
- Active adults who want a non-opioid, procedure-based option
Who may not be a good candidate
- Advanced “bone-on-bone” arthritis where replacement is already clearly indicated
- Active infection or certain blood disorders
- Unrealistic expectation of a permanent “cure” from one injection
We’ll be direct in consult if PRP is unlikely to help.
What PRP is (plain language)
PRP uses a concentrated portion of your own platelets, prepared from a blood draw, and injected into the knee under appropriate guidance. Platelets release growth factors that can support the local healing environment. It is not a steroid and is not the same as a gel “lubrication” shot.
Learn more on our main PRP & PRF injections for pain page.
PRP vs cortisone for the knee
Cortisone can calm a flare quickly for some people, but relief is often shorter-lived and repeated steroids may not be ideal for cartilage over time. PRP is chosen more often when the goal is longer-term comfort and function.
How long does PRP last?
Study results vary by protocol and severity. Many patients who respond notice meaningful change over weeks, with benefit that can last months — sometimes in the 6–12 month range for knee arthritis in published data, not a promise for every knee.
What to expect
- Consult ($95, cash-pay) — history, exam, imaging review if available, candid recommendation
- Procedure visit — blood draw, processing, knee injection
- Aftercare — activity pacing; avoid anti-inflammatories if we ask you to; follow-up plan
Locations
Riverside and Menifee, CA — Regenerative Medicine at UPC (University Pain Consultants campus). Regen line: 951-900-3253.
FAQ
Is this the same as the insurance pain clinic?
No. Regenerative Medicine at UPC is our cash-pay regenerative department. Traditional insurance-based pain care is separate (University Pain Consultants main line: 951-784-7111).
Can PRP delay a knee replacement?
Sometimes it helps patients stay active longer; it does not replace surgery when structural disease is too advanced. We’ll say so if that’s you.
Ready for a straight answer on whether PRP makes sense for your knee?
Book your $95 consult · Call 951-900-3253 · regeneration@unipain.com
