Regenerative Medicine at UPC · Riverside & Menifee, CA
PRP for Knee Pain Specialist in Riverside & Menifee
Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for knee pain — including runner’s knee, knee osteoarthritis, meniscal tears and tendon or ligament strains — performed personally by a board-certified pain physician at our Riverside and Menifee offices.
Medically reviewed by Rainier Guiang, MD · Board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management (ABA)
What Is PRP for Knee Pain?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is made from a small sample of your own blood, spun to concentrate the platelets and their growth factors, then injected into the knee under ultrasound guidance. Because it comes from your own blood, allergic reactions and rejection are very unlikely.
Instead of only suppressing inflammation the way cortisone does, PRP aims to support the knee’s own repair biology. Relief, when it comes, tends to build gradually over weeks. Results vary, and not every patient is a candidate. Learn more about PRP for pain and our sports injury care.
Knee Conditions PRP May Help
Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain)
Aching around or behind the kneecap that flares with running, stairs, squatting or sitting long. PRP may be considered alongside strengthening when conservative care hasn’t been enough.
Knee osteoarthritis
Wear-related joint pain and stiffness. Knee arthritis has the most research behind PRP, and it tends to be considered for mild-to-moderate arthritis rather than end-stage, bone-on-bone joints.
Meniscal tears
Pain along the joint line, swelling or a catching feeling. Some degenerative or small tears may be evaluated for PRP as part of non-surgical care; larger mechanical tears may need a surgical opinion.
Tendon & ligament strains
Patellar tendinopathy (“jumper’s knee”), quadriceps tendon problems and partial ligament sprains such as the MCL may be evaluated for ultrasound-guided PRP.
Why See a PRP Knee Pain Specialist?
Board-certified physician
Dr. Rainier Guiang holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology in both Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and performs every PRP injection himself.
Ultrasound-guided injections
Ultrasound guidance lets us see the knee in real time so PRP is placed where it is intended, not by feel.
EmCyte PurePRP®
Your PRP is prepared with the EmCyte PurePRP® system from a small sample of your own blood.
Accurate diagnosis first
Knee pain has many causes. We review your exam and imaging first and tell you honestly if PRP isn’t the right fit.
Your PRP Knee Visit
- Consultation: Dr. Guiang reviews your history, exam and imaging to confirm the cause of your knee pain.
- Blood draw & preparation: a small blood sample is processed with the EmCyte PurePRP® system.
- Ultrasound-guided injection: PRP is placed into the joint, tendon or ligament being treated.
- Recovery: most people return to light activity the same day; a few days of soreness is common.
PRP for Knee Pain in Riverside & Menifee
PRP for Knee Pain in Riverside
6900 Brockton Ave, Suite 203
Riverside, CA 92506
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PRP for Knee Pain in Menifee
27990 Sherman Road
Menifee, CA 92585
Get directions on Google Maps →
PRP for Knee Pain — Frequently Asked Questions
What does a PRP knee pain specialist do?
A PRP knee pain specialist is a physician who evaluates the cause of your knee pain, decides whether platelet-rich plasma is a reasonable option, and performs the injection with image guidance so the PRP reaches the intended structure. At our Riverside and Menifee offices, Dr. Guiang performs every PRP injection personally.
Can PRP help runner’s knee?
PRP is sometimes used for runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain) and patellar tendon problems when rest, strengthening and physical therapy have not been enough. It is usually combined with a rehab plan. Results vary, and not everyone is a candidate.
Is PRP an option for a meniscal tear?
For some degenerative or small meniscal tears, PRP may be considered as part of non-surgical care. Large or displaced tears that lock or catch the knee may need a surgical opinion. Dr. Guiang will review your imaging and exam to advise you.
Is PRP for knee osteoarthritis covered by insurance?
In most cases, no. PRP is generally considered elective and is paid out of pocket. We review pricing transparently at your consultation.
How long until PRP for the knee starts to work?
Many people notice gradual change over several weeks, as PRP is meant to support the body’s own repair processes rather than mask pain. A temporary flare of soreness for a few days is common. Results vary, and some people do not respond.
Why is ultrasound guidance used?
Ultrasound lets the physician see the joint, tendon or ligament in real time so the PRP is placed precisely where it is intended.
Do you offer PRP for knee pain in both Riverside and Menifee?
Yes. We see patients at 6900 Brockton Ave, Suite 203 in Riverside and at 27990 Sherman Road in Menifee. Call 951-900-3253 or book online to choose the location that works for you.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for knee pain has moved from the sidelines of sports medicine into mainstream orthopedic and pain practice. If you have knee osteoarthritis or a chronic knee injury and want to avoid — or delay — surgery, you have probably come across PRP as an option. But does it actually work, and is it right for you? Below, Dr. Rainier Guiang, MD, a board-certified pain specialist at University Pain Consultants in Riverside and Menifee, California, explains what the evidence shows.
What is PRP, and how does it treat knee pain?
PRP is a biologic injection made from your own blood. A small sample (typically 30–60 mL) is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets — the cells that carry growth factors such as PDGF, TGF-beta, VEGF, and IGF-1. When injected into an arthritic or injured knee under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance, this concentrated dose of growth factors is thought to reduce inflammation, slow cartilage breakdown, and stimulate the joint’s own repair processes.
Because PRP is autologous — derived entirely from your own blood — allergic reactions, rejection, and disease transmission are very unlikely.
Does PRP work for knee osteoarthritis? What the research shows
The strongest evidence for PRP anywhere in the body is for knee osteoarthritis. A 2024 meta-analysis by Di Matteo and colleagues in the American Journal of Sports Medicine pooled multiple randomized controlled trials and found that PRP produced clinically meaningful improvements in pain and function at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months — exceeding the threshold for a clinically important difference, while placebo injections did not.
Head-to-head studies are also encouraging. Multiple randomized trials and meta-analyses have found PRP outperforms corticosteroid (cortisone) and hyaluronic acid injections for knee osteoarthritis at 6- and 12-month follow-up, with relief that tends to last considerably longer.
PRP vs. cortisone for the knee
Cortisone injections can relieve knee pain quickly, but the relief is usually short-lived (often 4–8 weeks), and there is growing concern that repeated cortisone injections may accelerate cartilage loss over time. PRP works differently: instead of simply suppressing inflammation, it aims to support the joint’s repair biology. Relief typically develops more gradually — over weeks — and may last longer; some people who respond report relief lasting a year or more. Results vary.
What to expect during PRP treatment
The procedure is done in-office and usually takes 45–90 minutes:
- A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm.
- The blood is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets.
- The PRP is injected into the knee under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance for accuracy.
Most people return to light activity the same day. A temporary flare of soreness for 2–5 days is common and expected as the healing response begins.
Who is a good candidate for PRP knee injections?
PRP tends to work best for mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis and chronic tendon or ligament injuries around the knee, such as patellar tendinopathy (“jumper’s knee”). It is less likely to help end-stage, bone-on-bone arthritis, where joint replacement may be more appropriate. A physician evaluation is the best way to determine whether you are a candidate.
How long until I see results, and how long do they last?
Most people notice gradual improvement over 4–8 weeks as tissue repair progresses, with benefits often peaking at 3–6 months. Some responders report relief lasting a year or more, and treatment can be repeated when appropriate. About 20–30% of patients do not respond, and results are never guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions about PRP for knee pain
Is PRP for knee pain covered by insurance?
In most cases, no. PRP is generally considered elective and is paid out of pocket. We review pricing transparently at your consultation.
Is PRP safe?
PRP has an excellent safety profile because it uses your own blood. The most common side effect is temporary soreness at the injection site. Serious complications such as infection are rare (under 0.1%) with sterile, image-guided technique.
How many treatments will I need?
Some people do well with a single injection; others benefit from a short series. Your physician will recommend a protocol based on your diagnosis and response.
Considering PRP for your knee?
Dr. Rainier Guiang, MD is a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain specialist who performs all PRP injections personally, under image guidance, at University Pain Consultants in Riverside and Menifee, CA. Learn more on our PRP & PRF therapy for pain page, or book a $95 telemedicine consultation to find out whether PRP is right for your knee. The consultation fee is credited toward any treatment you choose.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. PRP results vary between individuals and are not guaranteed. Treatment decisions are made on an individual basis after a comprehensive medical evaluation.
PRP for knee pain in Riverside: who may not be a candidate, and what a consult costs
PRP may not be the right choice if you have advanced, bone-on-bone arthritis where replacement is already clearly indicated, an active infection or certain blood disorders, a locked knee or large displaced meniscus tear (which may need a surgical opinion), or an expectation that one injection will permanently cure your knee. If PRP is unlikely to help, Dr. Guiang will tell you directly.
Many patients who respond notice a gradual change over weeks, with benefit that can last months. Published data for knee arthritis sometimes show relief in the 6–12 month range, but this is not a promise for every knee. Your first step is a focused $95 cash-pay consult at our Riverside office (6900 Brockton Ave, Suite 203) or Menifee office (27990 Sherman Road); a superbill is available on request. Call 951-900-3253 or book a consultation.
