PRP & BMC: What to Expect
Your procedure, step by step
Our goal is to make your experience safe, comfortable, and reassuring. This guide explains platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow concentrate (BMC) procedures at Regen Experts. Your preparation, sedation, recovery, and rehabilitation plan are individualized.
Before either procedure
Follow the fasting and medication instructions given specifically for your procedure. This guide does not replace your personalized instructions. Call Adriene or Audrey at 214-750-6200 if anything is unclear.
Confirm your Dallas or Plano appointment location and that required laboratory results have been received and reviewed. Bring a current medication list. Discuss daily and rescue medications with the office ahead of time; take them on procedure day only as instructed. Arrange a responsible adult to take you home if sedation is planned.
PRP: What to expect
PRP is prepared from a sample of your own blood and may be injected into a joint, tendon, ligament, or other targeted tissue.
Preparation and arrival: Follow your individualized fasting instructions and avoid coffee before the appointment as directed by the office. Ask Adriene or Audrey about oral sedation or uncertainties. At check-in, staff review your medications and prepare you for treatment. IV access may be placed when sedation is planned.
During treatment: Blood is collected and processed. Dr. Westergaard performs the injection with ultrasound, fluoroscopic X-ray guidance, or both, as appropriate. Your comfort and safety are monitored.
After PRP: Mild soreness, bruising, redness, and swelling can occur. Pain medication may be prescribed when appropriate; provide your preferred pharmacy. Rehabilitation instructions are tailored to your procedure.
Bone marrow concentrate: What to expect
Preparation: Follow your specific fasting instructions, including what you may drink and when. Bring your medication list and your usual daily and rescue medications, including inhalers and blood pressure medications, but take them only as instructed. Confirm that any required labs have been reviewed.
Arrival and sedation: After check-in and consent, you will change into a gown and shorts and be positioned in the procedure suite. An IV is generally placed. Light sedation is often used for comfort while vital signs are monitored.
Collection and treatment: Marrow is collected under image guidance. You may feel pressure during aspiration. Tell Dr. Westergaard about discomfort so comfort measures and sedation can be reassessed when appropriate. While the marrow is processed, staff reposition, prepare, and drape you for the planned injection. The team dedicates this scheduled procedure time to your care.
Recovery: Temporary aching near the collection site, sometimes described as lower back discomfort, can occur. Pain management and rehabilitation are individualized. A responsible adult should take you home when sedation is used.
If you accidentally eat or drink
Tell staff exactly what you consumed and when. The sedation plan may need to change, or the procedure may need to be rescheduled. Staff may ask more than once for your safety.
When to call for help
Call for unusual or increasing pain, swelling, spreading redness, fever, or concerning symptoms at the marrow collection site. Severe pain, rapidly progressive swelling, or an extremity that is pale, blue, cold, or numb warrants emergency evaluation. Seek emergency care for severe or rapidly progressive symptoms.
Your next-day check-in
Dr. Westergaard or a staff member plans to call the next day. If you have not heard from us, call 214-750-6200.
What will treatment cost?
Your evaluation is billed separately. Procedure costs depend on your treatment plan; an individualized estimate is provided before scheduling. 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.
Questions before your procedure?
Call Regen Experts at 214-750-6200 to clarify your preparation instructions and confirm your appointment location.