October 22, 2025
Valley Medical Group is expanding its regenerative medicine capabilities by launching the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to relieve pain and promote healing. These injections are being used by Valley Medical Group’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) team to treat adults with sports injuries, including rotator cuff tears, golfer’s elbow, and tennis elbow, as well as other joint pain and osteoarthritis.
Regenerative medicine – a practice that involves stimulating the body’s natural healing to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs – has been available for decades. With expanding knowledge of molecular and cellular processes in humans, researchers are developing new strategies that utilize the body’s mechanisms to heal or improve itself. The goal is to avoid the use of ongoing medications.
“At the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, we are combining the most advanced treatments, such as PRP injections, with strong therapy and aftercare, which has long been our hallmark,” said Jack Annunziato, DO, Medical Director of Ambulatory Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services for Valley Medical Group. “Research proves that PRP injections can offer robust pain relief beyond classic treatments while minimizing the use of medications.”
The benefits of PRP injections to patients include:
1. Pain reduction
2. Improved function
3. No need for surgical intervention
4. Less dependency on anti-inflammatory or opioid medications
5. Quicker return to work, sports, hobbies, and driving
6. Improved quality of life
PRP injections are prepared by drawing a patient’s blood while they are in the office. The blood is separated into its various components, and the platelets – which are necessary for growth and healing – are separated and concentrated into two to eight times their normal number within blood plasma. The platelets are then injected into the area of injury by a physician using ultrasound imaging guidance. A treatment visit generally lasts about one hour.
“The concentrated platelets release growth factors that stimulate and reproduce the cells that your body already produces to repair tissue and enhance the body’s natural healing abilities,” explains Dr. Annunziato. “Because the injections are created from a patient’s own blood, there is almost no risk of the body rejecting the treatment or reacting negatively to the injections.”
Following an injection, each patient is given individualized instructions, often including exercises to do at home to build up strength. Physical therapy may be prescribed.
The PM&R team offers evaluations and treatment of a wide variety of conditions, including migraines, neck and back pain, arthritis, strains and sprains, balance issues, and healthy aging. In addition to PRP, treatments include detailed therapy prescriptions and home exercise plans, bracing, splints, and adaptive equipment recommendations, ultrasound-guided injections, osteopathic manipulative therapy, and botulinum toxin injections.
To schedule a PRP appointment with the physical medicine and rehabilitation team, please call 201-612-4857. The team sees patients at Valley Health System – Ridgewood Campus, located at 223 N. Van Dien Avenue in Ridgewood; 1578 Route 23 North in Wayne; and Valley Health System – Montvale Campus, located at 400 Market Street in Montvale. For more information about PRP, please visit ValleyHealth.com/PRP.