What to Expect
Each visit begins with a thorough evaluation, which includes a:
- Physical exam
- Discussion of personal and family medical history
- Discussion of symptoms and risk factors
We often also use in-clinic ultrasound, an imaging technology that uses high-frequency sound waves to show anatomy within the body. This helps us identify the precise location of the injury we’re treating and guide our treatments.
We may order X-rays or additional imaging to determine if PRP, shockwave, or Lipogems is the best treatment.
PRP
During PRP, a UT Southwestern specialist will draw blood from the patient using a needle. The blood is then processed in a centrifuge (a device that separates substances of different densities) so the platelets can be separated. Using ultrasound guidance, we inject this PRP directly into the damaged or injured body tissue. This releases growth factors that facilitate healing.
Patients should not take anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, or turmeric) for seven days before the procedure.
Shockwave
During shockwave therapy, our doctor will use a probe that sends high-energy acoustic waves with a high-voltage electrode. The waves stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms to assist in remodeling or repairing the region of interest.
Patients should not take anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, or turmeric) for seven days before the procedure.
Lipogems
During the Lipogems procedure, our doctor will make a small incision in the patient’s abdomen, “love handles,” or thigh and remove a small amount of fat (also called adipose tissue) through a needle, which is then processed in the Lipogems device. The device removes contaminants and resizes the fat into smaller “micro-fragments.” Using ultrasound guidance, we then inject the processed fat directly into the damaged or injured body tissue.
Patients should not take anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, or turmeric) for seven days before the procedure.
Recovery
It’s normal to feel uncomfortable several days after PRP or Lipogems. Patients can take Tylenol and the prescribed pain medication (one-time prescription) to help with the pain. Anti-inflammatories, including ice, should not be taken for two weeks after the procedure.
Patients who have undergone Lipogems will be given a short course of antibiotics to take after the procedure.
Exercise should be avoided for 48 hours after PRP or Lipogems; patients can resume their normal exercise routine after that time. It’s fine to resume other normal activities after the procedure. Recovery may vary slightly depending on the specific procedure and provider, but we will go over this with patients on a case-by-case basis.
For maximum benefits, we recommend patients attend physical therapy two to three times a week for six weeks following any of these procedures.
Follow-up appointments will typically be scheduled at two weeks (this can be virtual), six weeks, and 12 weeks. Patients can be seen more or less frequently, as needed.
Cost
Because most insurance policies do not cover these procedures, both PRP and Lipogems are self-pay.
PRP
- Single joint: $750
- Double joint: $1,125
Shockwave
- $250 per session or $700 for three sessions (typically three sessions are initially recommended)
- $375 for one session for two different body parts
Lipogems
- Single joint: $3,500
- Double joint: $4,000
