Protein Concentrate (PC) Injection Therapy

Living with chronic joint pain can make everyday activities a challenge and keep you from doing the things you enjoy. Protein concentrate regenerative therapy is a minimally invasive treatment option that uses concentrated proteins from your own blood to help support a healthier environment within painful or degenerative joints while preventing cartilage breakdown.

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What is protein concentrate regenerative therapy?

Protein concentrate regenerative therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a concentrated solution of naturally occurring proteins from your own blood. The preparation may contain increased concentrations of proteins that can inhibit certain enzymes involved in cartilage breakdown and joint inflammation.

Treatment begins by collecting a sample of your blood and processing it with specialized equipment. Components of the blood are then filtered and concentrated to produce a protein-rich solution, which can be injected into the affected joint.

Protein concentrate therapy is part of a broader category of regenerative treatments known as orthobiologics, which use naturally derived biological substances to support the body’s healing processes.

Who is a candidate for protein concentrate therapy?

Potential candidates for protein concentrate therapy include individuals who:

have chronic joint, tendon, or musculoskeletal pain
have not achieved adequate relief from medication, physical therapy, or lifestyle modification
want to avoid surgery, opioids, or steroids

Protein concentrate therapy may not be appropriate for everyone. Certain medical conditions, active infections, blood disorders, or medications could affect whether treatment is recommended.

During your consultation, your provider will review your medical history, symptoms, imaging studies, previous treatments, and individual goals to determine whether protein concentrate therapy may be appropriate for you.

What can I expect during a protein concentrate treatment?

The medical staff will draw a sample of your blood. The blood is spun at a high rate of speed in a device called a centrifuge. This spinning separates the plasma and concentrates specific proteins. The portion of the blood needed for the PC procedure (called platelet poor plasma) is isolated and further processed using a special filtration device. The filtered solution is the final protein concentrate.

Once the protein concentrate has been prepared, the treatment area will be cleaned and sterilized. Your provider will carefully inject the concentrated solution into the affected joint, using imaging guidance if appropriate.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day.

What can I expect after the procedure?

Since no sedation is used for this procedure, patients are able to go home right away. Temporary soreness, swelling, stiffness, or discomfort around the injection site may occur.

We recommend taking it easy for the remainder of the day following the procedure. Your provider will give you specific instructions about when you can resume exercise, strenuous activity, physical therapy, and other activities.