Knee Arthritis PRP and Bone Marrow Concentrate in Plano, Texas
Image-guided PRP and bone marrow concentrate are nonsurgical options for selected patients with knee osteoarthritis in Plano. Treatment begins with a personalized evaluation.
Double board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Fellowship trained at Texas Tech under Gabor Racz, MD
Ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance · In practice since 1989
A knee is more than cartilage
Knee arthritis can affect how you walk, climb stairs, sleep, play golf or tennis, and spend time with family. Cartilage is one part of the picture: the joint surface, underlying bone, meniscus, ligaments, tendons, muscles, alignment, and movement can all contribute to symptoms.
Dr. Westergaard reviews your history, examination, previous care, and relevant imaging. Ultrasound and fluoroscopy help guide appropriate procedures to selected structures. Your plan may include rehabilitation, targeted treatment, or a surgical opinion when appropriate.
What are PRP and bone marrow concentrate?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is prepared from your own blood and contains concentrated platelets and signaling proteins. Bone marrow concentrate (BMC or BMAC) is prepared from your own marrow, typically collected from the pelvis, and contains a mixture of marrow cells, platelets, and signaling proteins. BMC is not a purified stem cell product.
Neither PRP nor BMC reliably regrows cartilage or reconstructs an arthritic knee. Treatment aims to improve pain and function in selected patients and may influence inflammatory activity. Results vary, and improvement is not guaranteed.
Comparing PRP and bone marrow concentrate
Source
PRP: Your own blood.
BMC: Your own bone marrow, usually from the pelvis.
Contents
PRP: Concentrated platelets and signaling proteins.
BMC: A mixture of marrow cells, platelets, and signaling proteins.
Arthritis severity
PRP: Often considered for selected mild to moderate arthritis; suitability is individual.
BMC: Studied in selected mild to moderate arthritis and other selected cases; no severity cutoff establishes superiority.
Procedure
PRP: Blood draw and image-guided treatment.
BMC: Marrow collection and concentration followed by image-guided treatment; selected plans may include subchondral bone.
Cost
Both: Individualized written estimate after evaluation.
BMC involves a marrow collection in addition to injection. Risks include temporary soreness, bleeding, infection, and the possibility that treatment does not improve symptoms. The right approach depends on the diagnosis, treatment targets, health, and goals.
What does the research show?
Research is promising but mixed. A double-blind randomized trial in the American Journal of Sports Medicine reported improved outcomes with PRP compared with saline in its study population. The RESTORE trial found no significant advantage of three intra-articular PRP injections over saline for pain or cartilage volume at 12 months in mild to moderate arthritis. Preparations, patients, and study methods vary. Read the PRP trial · Read RESTORE
In a randomized study of 90 patients with mild to moderate knee arthritis, both the PRP and BMC groups reported improvement through two years after one joint injection. BMC was not superior to PRP; there was no placebo group and some participants were lost to follow-up. Read Anz and colleagues, American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2022.
The treatment target matters. In a randomized study of 60 patients with arthritis in both knees, researchers compared BMC placed in subchondral bone with BMC placed in the opposite joint. At 15 years, 12 of 60 subchondral-treated knees and 42 of 60 joint-injected knees had undergone replacement. These results do not predict whether an individual patient will avoid surgery. Read the Hernigou study.
A 2026 international expert consensus published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery addressed PRP for knee arthritis and bone marrow concentrate, while noting ongoing uncertainty about preparation, dosing, quality control, and effectiveness for specific conditions. Expert consensus is guidance, not a randomized trial. Read the JBJS consensus.
Your own blood and bone marrow
When PRP or BMC is recommended at Regen Experts, it is prepared from the patient's own blood or bone marrow. We do not use donor amniotic products for these procedures.
The FDA cautions that regenerative medicine products, including certain birth-tissue products, have not been approved for orthopedic conditions such as osteoarthritis. Using a patient's own tissue does not by itself establish FDA approval or compliance; regulatory status depends on the product and how it is prepared and used. Read FDA patient information.
Patient experiences at Regen Experts
1. One patient told he was a candidate for replacement of both knees reported right knee pain usually around 5/10 and as high as 8–9/10 before treatment. Six weeks after intraosseous BMC, he reported pain around 2–3/10, approximately 75% relief, improved movement, and better daily function.
2. Robert had been told he was a candidate for replacement of both knees. After physician-guided intraosseous BMC, he reported 0/10 pain at his testimonial, nine months after treatment of one knee and four months after the other. The published story does not specify a numerical starting score.
These are individual, self-reported experiences; results vary. Orthobiologic treatment cannot guarantee avoidance of knee replacement. Read patient stories.
Meet Deborah Westergaard, MD
Dr. Westergaard is board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, completed anesthesiology training at UT Southwestern and an ACGME-accredited Pain Medicine fellowship at Texas Tech, and has practiced since 1989. She personally evaluates patients and performs image-guided procedures using ultrasound and fluoroscopy when appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Who is a candidate?
A candidate may have persistent knee symptoms and a diagnosis consistent with the examination and imaging. Arthritis severity, alignment, stability, other painful structures, health, previous treatment, and goals all matter. An evaluation determines whether PRP, BMC, another treatment, or surgical consultation is reasonable.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no single schedule for everyone. The recommended number and timing depend on the diagnosis, tissues treated, procedure, and response. Dr. Westergaard discusses the proposed plan before treatment.
What will treatment cost?
A joint is a system of cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons, and supporting muscles. Your recommended care may address the joint space and other structures contributing to your symptoms. The treatment, collection and processing, number and location of targets, imaging guidance, and follow-up help define the scope of care. Your evaluation is billed separately, and you receive an individualized written procedure estimate after evaluation and before scheduling treatment. Treatment estimates are not provided by phone before evaluation.
Does insurance cover PRP or BMC?
Orthobiologic procedures are generally not covered by traditional insurance. Certain Regenexx employer benefits may cover eligible care depending on your plan. Ask our team about your benefits and expected costs.
How long is recovery?
Recovery varies with the procedure, tissues treated, and your activities. Temporary soreness can occur after injection or marrow collection. Your instructions address walking, work, exercise, and rehabilitation, including when to return to pickleball, tennis, or golf.
How do these treatments compare with knee replacement?
PRP and BMC are considered for symptom and functional improvement in selected patients; they do not replace the joint or guarantee avoidance of surgery. Knee replacement may be more predictable for advanced, widespread arthritis with substantial symptoms after reasonable nonsurgical care. A thoughtful evaluation includes surgical consultation when appropriate.
Can PRP or bone marrow concentrate regrow knee cartilage?
Neither treatment reliably regrows cartilage or recreates an arthritic knee. The goal is improved symptoms and function for suitable patients, and results vary.
Where can I be evaluated?
Regen Experts offers evaluations in Plano at 1400 Preston Road, Suite 120, and in Dallas. Our team confirms the location of your visit and any recommended procedure.
Schedule your knee evaluation
If knee arthritis is changing the way you live, begin with a careful review of your diagnosis, imaging, and goals. Schedule an evaluation in Plano or Dallas or call (214) 750-6200.
A thoughtful evaluation before your next step
Your MRI is part of the story. Your symptoms, examination, movement, treatment history, and goals help Dr. Westergaard understand what may be driving your pain.
She is board-certified in both Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, with residency training at UT Southwestern and fellowship training at Texas Tech under Gabor Racz, MD. In practice since 1989, she brings decades of image-guided procedural experience to evaluating pain sources and planning treatment.
An evaluation may address knee, hip, shoulder, back, tendon, or ligament concerns. If PRP or bone marrow concentrate is appropriate, she will discuss the evidence, potential benefits, risks, alternatives, and recovery expectations. Explore our treatment options and Patient Stories. Individual results vary; patient experiences do not predict your outcome.
COSTS & COVERAGE
What will treatment cost?
A joint is a working system of cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons, and supporting muscles. Your plan may include an injection into the joint space and targeted treatment of other tissues contributing to pain or dysfunction. Dr. Westergaard selects the orthobiologic, concentration, and dose for each appropriate target, considering the tissue involved, severity of the condition, your age, and clinical findings. Your estimate reflects the scope of your recommended care. Your evaluation is billed separately, and you receive an individualized written procedure estimate before scheduling. Ask our team what your estimate includes, whether follow-up visits or rehabilitation are separate, and how any applicable benefits affect your costs.
Orthobiologic procedures are generally not covered by traditional insurance. Regenexx employer benefits may cover eligible treatment, depending on your plan. CareCredit is available, subject to credit approval.