Regenerative Medicine in Miami

Corticosteroid (cortisone) injections provide rapid but temporary pain relief by reducing inflammation, but they don't heal damaged tissue and may actually weaken tendons and cartilage over time with repeated use. Regenerative treatments such as PRP work more slowly and are aimed at the repair environment in the damaged structure rather than at the inflammation alone. Where cortisone typically helps for six to twelve weeks, patients who respond to a regenerative course often hold that improvement considerably longer. The trade-off is that the benefit is not immediate and not everyone gets one.

The injection itself is performed with local anesthesia and most patients describe it as uncomfortable but tolerable, similar to other injections. Because regenerative treatments stimulate an active healing response, you may experience increased soreness, stiffness, and swelling at the treatment site for 2-5 days—this is actually a sign the therapy is working. We recommend ice, gentle movement, and acetaminophen (avoiding NSAIDs which can interfere with healing). Unlike surgery, there's no extensive downtime—most people can return to desk work the next day, though we recommend avoiding strenuous activity for 1-2 weeks to allow the healing process to begin.

The people who do best are those with musculoskeletal pain who have not responded adequately to conservative treatment such as physical therapy, medication or conventional injections, and who want to avoid or delay surgery. Regenerative medicine works best for mild to moderate tissue damage—conditions like early to moderate arthritis, partial tendon tears, ligament sprains, and degenerative disc disease. Factors that improve success include being a non-smoker, maintaining healthy body weight, and having realistic expectations. Very advanced conditions with complete tissue destruction (bone-on-bone arthritis, complete tendon ruptures) may still benefit but often require multiple treatments or may ultimately need surgical intervention. We'll perform a thorough evaluation to determine if you're a good candidate.

Most patients begin noticing improvement within 4-8 weeks, with continued enhancement over 3-6 months as tissue regenerates. The number of treatments varies by condition: simpler problems like tennis elbow may respond to a single PRP injection, while moderate knee arthritis might require 2-3 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Shockwave therapy is usually given as a short series of sessions a week or so apart. Published response rates vary widely between studies, preparations and conditions, so Dr. Steinberger will give you the figures that apply to your diagnosis rather than a single headline number. We'll discuss a personalized treatment plan during your consultation and monitor your progress to determine if additional sessions would be beneficial.

Gables Pain does accept insurance, but most carriers still classify PRP and exosome therapy as experimental or investigational and do not cover them, so those treatments are usually out of pocket. Shockwave coverage varies by plan and diagnosis. However, the cost of regenerative treatment is often significantly less than surgery when you factor in surgical fees, anesthesia, facility costs, and lost work time during extended recovery. Many patients view it as a worthwhile investment to avoid surgery and its associated risks. At Gables Pain, we provide transparent pricing and can discuss payment options during your consultation. Some HSA and FSA accounts can be used for these treatments. We'll also provide documentation if you wish to submit a claim to your insurance, though approval is not guaranteed.