Regenerative Medicine in Boynton Beach

What PRP is and how it is prepared

Platelets are cells in your blood that release proteins involved in healing. To make PRP, a small amount of your blood is drawn in the office and spun in a centrifuge, a machine that separates the blood into layers. The layer with a higher concentration of platelets is then injected into the injured area. The devices used to prepare PRP are FDA-cleared, but PRP itself is not FDA-approved to treat any specific orthopedic condition.

Our physicians often use ultrasound guidance, which shows the tendon or joint on a screen during the injection, to place the injection precisely.

Who may consider it

PRP and other orthobiologic injections are most often discussed for:

• Tendon problems that have not improved with therapy, such as tennis elbow or other chronic tendonitis
• Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis in people who want to try another non-surgical option
• Some ligament and muscle injuries in active patients

These injections are not a substitute for surgery when a tendon or ligament is completely torn, and they are not right for everyone. Your physician will review your diagnosis and imaging and tell you honestly whether the evidence supports trying one for your situation.

BMAC and MFAT

Some patients ask about injections made from their own bone marrow or fat. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) is prepared from a small amount of bone marrow, usually drawn from the back of the pelvic bone. Micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) is prepared from a small amount of fat, usually collected from the abdomen or flank. Dr. Adelman offers both, typically with ultrasound guidance. Like PRP, they are not FDA-approved treatments for specific orthopedic conditions, the evidence is still developing, and insurance usually does not cover them.

Shockwave and MLS laser therapy

Our office also offers two non-injection treatments that aim to support the body's own healing response. Shockwave therapy (SoftWave) applies acoustic (sound) waves through the skin to a painful tendon, and is used for long-lasting tendon problems such as tennis elbow and shoulder tendinopathy. MLS laser therapy uses a class IV therapeutic laser to deliver light energy through the skin to painful tissue, as an add-on option for pain from conditions such as tendonitis and arthritis.

Both are offered in our office under the direction of Dr. Alexandra Adelman, often alongside physical therapy. Many patients report less pain and better function after a course of treatment. Coverage varies by plan, so ask our team before you start.

Who provides it at POPB

Dr. Alexandra Adelman is dual board-certified in family medicine and sports medicine and uses interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound, including PRP and other orthobiologic injections, as part of non-operative care. Dr. Joseph Chalal, an orthopedic surgeon who has practiced sports medicine in Palm Beach since 1988, exhausts non-operative options, including PRP, before recommending surgery.

Injections are performed in our office. Afterward, you may have soreness for several days, and your physician may ask you to avoid anti-inflammatory medications for a period and to follow a gradual return to activity, often with our on-site physical therapists.

Cost, coverage and what to expect

Medicare and most commercial insurance plans usually do not cover PRP, stem cell or other biologic injections, so you should expect to pay for them yourself. Our team will explain the cost before you decide.

Many patients report less pain and better function after treatment, with improvement building gradually over several weeks as the body responds. We will walk you through what to expect and compare these options with covered treatments, so you can choose what makes sense for you.