By the Pain Management Team at Performance Pain and Sports Medicine
Matthias Wiederholz, MD
Updated April 2026
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Chronic knee pain, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff trouble, and other tendon and joint problems can quietly take over a weekend on the Lawrence Hopewell Trail or a workday at Bristol Myers Squibb, ETS, The Lawrenceville School, or Rider University. When rest, physical therapy, and over-the-counter medications stop providing meaningful relief, PRP injections offer a non-surgical regenerative option for patients across the Princeton corridor and the wider Trenton-Princeton metro. Platelet-rich plasma therapy concentrates growth factors from the patient’s own blood and delivers them directly to damaged tissue under ultrasound guidance, where they may help reduce pain and support repair (Everts et al., Int J Mol Sci, 2020).
At the Lawrenceville office of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine, located on Quakerbridge Road just off U.S. Route 1, Dr. Matthias Wiederholz performs PRP injections as part of a comprehensive regenerative medicine and interventional pain management practice. As a quadruple board-certified physician with specialty training in Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine, Dr. Wiederholz brings a focused regenerative-medicine background to PRP candidacy decisions.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
PRP therapy is an injectable treatment made from a patient’s own blood. A small blood sample is processed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets, which contain growth factors at levels 5 to 10 times higher than normal blood (AAOS OrthoInfo). These growth factors, including PDGF, TGF-beta, and VEGF, support the body’s natural inflammation and tissue repair processes (Everts et al., Int J Mol Sci, 2020).
Because PRP is autologous (made from the patient’s own blood), there is no risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission. PRP is not stem cell therapy, not a steroid injection, and not a surgical procedure. It is a regenerative injection that works by amplifying the body’s existing healing response.
Who Is a Candidate for PRP Injections in Lawrenceville?
PRP injections may help patients with a range of musculoskeletal conditions. The strongest clinical evidence supports PRP for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, where multiple meta-analyses show clinically meaningful improvement in pain and function (Bensa et al., Am J Sports Med, 2025). Many of the patients we evaluate for PRP at the Lawrenceville office are active retirees from across central New Jersey, weekend athletes from Princeton-area run clubs and tennis groups, prep-school faculty and coaches, and pharma/ETS knowledge workers whose weekend tennis or running has caught up with them.
PRP is also used for tendon conditions common across the Princeton-corridor patient population, including:
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) — common in tennis and pickleball players, dental and surgical providers, and bench scientists
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy — common in overhead-sport athletes, gym regulars, and patients with chronic postural strain
- Plantar fasciitis — common in runners on the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, the Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath, and long-shift healthcare workers
- Sports injuries involving tendons and ligaments
Some Lawrenceville patients with spine and back pain may benefit from PRP when used alongside other interventional approaches such as facet joint injections. The Lawrenceville office offers PRP as part of an integrated pain plan for select spine and back pain patients when the clinical picture supports it.
Patients with active infections, blood clotting disorders, or certain cancers may not be candidates. A physician evaluation in Lawrenceville determines whether PRP is appropriate for the specific condition, joint, or tendon involved.
How PRP Injections Work
The PRP injection process at Performance Pain and Sports Medicine follows four steps:
- Consultation and evaluation. A physician reviews the patient’s condition, imaging, and treatment history to confirm PRP is appropriate.
- Blood draw. A small blood sample is drawn from the patient’s arm, similar to a routine lab draw.
- Centrifuge processing. The sample is placed in a centrifuge for 15 to 20 minutes, separating the platelet-rich layer from the rest of the blood.
- Ultrasound-guided injection. The concentrated PRP is injected into the target joint, tendon, or tissue using real-time ultrasound guidance for precision placement.
The entire visit typically takes 45 to 60 minutes. Ultrasound guidance helps ensure the PRP reaches the exact target area.
Benefits of PRP Therapy
PRP therapy offers several practical benefits for the central New Jersey patients we treat at the Lawrenceville office:
- Uses the body’s own healing factors with no synthetic drugs or foreign substances — an important consideration for evidence-conscious patients in pharma and academic professions
- Minimal downtime, with most patients resuming normal activities within a few days, including a return to the desk at BMS, ETS, or other Princeton-corridor employers
- May reduce or delay the need for surgery in some patients with joint or tendon conditions
- Can provide longer-lasting relief than some alternatives. One meta-analysis showed PRP outperforming hyaluronic acid injections (OR 2.19, P=.002) for knee osteoarthritis outcomes (Oeding et al., Am J Sports Med, 2024)
Results vary depending on the condition treated, the PRP preparation method, and the platelet concentration used. Not all patients respond the same way, and the Lawrenceville team will tell you honestly whether your specific imaging and clinical picture make PRP a reasonable next step.
Risks and Side Effects
PRP injections are considered safe, with a low risk of serious side effects. Because PRP is made from the patient’s own blood, there is no risk of allergic reaction or transmitted infection (Sheean et al., Arthroscopy, 2021).
The most common side effects are mild and temporary:
- Soreness or swelling at the injection site (typically 1 to 3 days)
- Temporary stiffness in the treated area
- Bruising at the blood draw or injection site
Rare risks include infection or nerve irritation. The treatment team discusses all potential risks before the procedure.
PRP vs Corticosteroids and Other Treatments
Corticosteroid injections often provide faster initial pain relief, sometimes within days. However, evidence suggests that PRP may deliver better results at 3 to 6 months and beyond. For tendinopathy, one meta-analysis of 27 trials found that PRP provided superior mid-term pain relief compared to corticosteroids for tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and rotator cuff conditions (Ye et al., BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2025).
For knee osteoarthritis, PRP also appears to outperform hyaluronic acid at 6 and 12 months (Filardo et al., Cartilage, 2020). Performance Pain and Sports Medicine offers PRP as part of a multimodal treatment plan that may also include epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, and physical therapy. The right approach depends on the patient’s diagnosis, pain severity, and treatment goals.
Why Choose Performance Pain and Sports Medicine in Lawrenceville
The Lawrenceville office of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine is led by a quadruple board-certified physician specializing in interventional pain management and regenerative medicine.
Dr. Matthias Wiederholz, MD — quadruple board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine. His Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging/Regenerative board certifications align directly with PRP candidacy and ultrasound-guided injection technique. He has been treating central New Jersey patients with regenerative therapies since founding the practice in 2009 and was the first physician to bring Discseel® to New Jersey.
What sets the Lawrenceville office apart for PRP candidates:
- Physician-led regenerative medicine care with quadruple board-certified expertise
- All PRP injections performed under live ultrasound guidance for precision placement
- Honest candidacy conversations — we will tell you if PRP is unlikely to help your specific condition
- PRP offered as part of an integrated pain plan that can include spine, joint, and tendon applications alongside radiofrequency ablation or epidural steroid injections when appropriate
- Convenient Lawrenceville location accessible from Princeton, Princeton Junction, Pennington, Hopewell, Hamilton, Ewing, Plainsboro, West Windsor, Robbinsville, and Trenton
Our Lawrenceville Location
The Lawrenceville office occupies Suite 112 at 4056 Quakerbridge Road, providing convenient access from across the Princeton corridor and the wider Trenton-Princeton metro. The building sits just off U.S. Route 1, the spine of the Princeton-to-New Brunswick research corridor, with quick access to I-95, I-295, and Princeton Junction station for patients arriving from New York City or Philadelphia.
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine — Lawrenceville:
Address: 4056 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 112, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Major Cross Streets: Quakerbridge Road at Province Line Road, just off U.S. Route 1
Nearby Landmarks: Quaker Bridge Mall, Bristol Myers Squibb Lawrenceville campus, Educational Testing Service
Parking: Free on-site parking
Phone: 609-588-8600
Conveniently located between Princeton and Trenton along the U.S. Route 1 research corridor, the Lawrenceville office serves patients from Princeton, Pennington, Hopewell, Hamilton, Ewing, Plainsboro, West Windsor, Robbinsville, and the wider Mercer and Bucks County communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About PRP Injections in Lawrenceville
Are PRP injections available in Lawrenceville, NJ?
Yes. PRP candidacy evaluations and ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injections are performed at the Lawrenceville office of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine, located at 4056 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 112. Dr. Matthias Wiederholz, MD — quadruple board-certified including Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine — performs PRP for patients across the Princeton corridor. Call 609-588-8600 or request an appointment online.
How much do PRP injections cost in Lawrenceville?
PRP injections are typically a cash-pay procedure, as most insurance plans currently classify PRP as experimental. Cost varies based on the area being treated and the PRP preparation method used. Contact the Lawrenceville office at 609-588-8600 for current pricing and to discuss payment options.
Are PRP injections covered by insurance or Medicare?
Most insurance plans and Medicare currently classify PRP as experimental and do not cover it. The Lawrenceville staff can help verify individual coverage, discuss payment options, and identify any related interventional procedures (such as facet joint injections or steroid injections) that may be covered.
How many PRP injections will I need?
Most Lawrenceville patients receive one PRP injection, which can be repeated if additional treatment is needed. The decision to repeat depends on the condition treated, the patient’s response to the initial injection, and the treating physician’s evaluation of ongoing symptoms.
How long do PRP injection results last?
Many patients experience relief lasting 6 to 12 months or longer. For knee osteoarthritis, studies show PRP benefits can persist at 12 months, and some patients maintain improvement beyond that timeframe. Results depend on the condition, the PRP preparation, and the patient’s overall musculoskeletal health.
Does PRP really work?
Research shows mixed results depending on PRP preparation, but multiple meta-analyses suggest meaningful benefit for knee osteoarthritis when higher platelet concentrations are used (Bensa et al., Am J Sports Med, 2025) and for tendinopathies including tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis. The evidence is stronger for some conditions than others, which is why honest candidacy conversations matter.
How soon can I walk after a PRP injection?
Most patients can walk the same day. Light activity is typically fine within 24 to 48 hours. Physicians generally recommend avoiding strenuous exercise — including the Lawrence Hopewell Trail and intense gym sessions — for 1 to 2 weeks to allow the healing process to begin.
How does PRP compare with cortisone shots?
Cortisone shots tend to provide faster initial relief but their effect often fades by 3 months. PRP tends to be slower to take effect but produces better outcomes at 6 and 12 months for many tendon and knee osteoarthritis conditions. The Lawrenceville team will help match the right injection to your specific condition rather than defaulting to one for everyone.
Schedule Your PRP Consultation in Lawrenceville
If chronic joint pain, tendon injury, or musculoskeletal pain has limited your ability to stay active, PRP therapy may be worth discussing. The Lawrenceville pain management team at Performance Pain and Sports Medicine offers ultrasound-guided injections and honest, evidence-based candidacy conversations. Request an appointment or call 609-588-8600.
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine — Lawrenceville
4056 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 112, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Phone: 609-588-8600
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information presented reflects an interventional pain management perspective and is intended to support, not substitute, your relationship with a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results vary based on diagnosis, pain duration, overall health, and response to treatment. Some procedures may not be covered by insurance. Treatment outcomes depend on proper patient selection and accurate diagnosis. Always consult a board-certified physician before pursuing any pain management treatment.
Medically reviewed by Matthias Wiederholz, MD — Quadruple Board-Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine. Founder of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine. Last reviewed April 2026.
