Protea Performance Center
PRP for Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff Tears in Tempe
Patients often come to Protea Performance Center in south Tempe with a shoulder that wakes them at night, a rotator cuff or tendon injury that hasn't settled, or stiffness that limits reaching and lifting after physical therapy or cortisone haven't helped enough. Dr. Danny Clark identifies the structures involved with an exam and diagnostic ultrasound, then discusses whether PRP, bone marrow concentrate or hydrodilatation may be appropriate.
The discovery call is free, takes about 15 minutes, and comes with no obligation.
Rotator cuff
Can PRP help a partial rotator cuff tear?
For some partial rotator cuff tears, PRP or bone marrow concentrate may be worth discussing, particularly when physical therapy hasn't helped enough. The goal is to support the tendon's own repair processes; results vary from person to person.
A rotator cuff tear sits in a specific spot in a specific tendon, so Dr. Clark guides every injection with real-time ultrasound to place the biologic at the tear rather than in the general area. Accurate placement matters, but it does not by itself guarantee a result. Some patients explore these options before considering surgery, and Dr. Clark will tell you plainly what the evaluation shows.
Shoulder pain isn't always the rotator cuff. The AC joint, the labrum and the nerves around the shoulder can all produce pain, and a shoulder that wakes you at night may have more than one source. That is why the evaluation comes before any recommendation.
Shoulder conditions we evaluate
- Rotator cuff tears (partial and full-thickness)
- Supraspinatus tendinopathy
- AC joint dysfunction and arthritis
- Labral tears
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder
What is hydrodilatation for frozen shoulder?
Hydrodilatation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses fluid, or PRP, to stretch the shoulder joint capsule from the inside. The goal is to improve range of motion and reduce pain.
Frozen shoulder can cause pain and stiffness that lasts many months, and how long it lasts varies from person to person. Like every procedure at the Performance Center, hydrodilatation is performed by Dr. Clark under ultrasound guidance, and he will discuss whether it is appropriate for your shoulder.
- Adhesive capsulitis
- The medical name for frozen shoulder, where the capsule around the shoulder joint becomes painful and stiff.
Your options
How do cortisone, PRP and bone marrow concentrate differ?
Cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medication, rest and physical therapy are common first steps for shoulder pain, and they help many people. When they haven't helped enough, or the relief hasn't lasted, it is reasonable to look at other options.
Inflammation also plays a part in normal tissue repair, a point Dr. Clark discusses in Why Inflammation Isn't the Problem. When inflammation needs calming, he may consider A2M (alpha-2 macroglobulin), a protein concentrated from your own blood that has anti-inflammatory properties.
PRP is usually the first option considered, and the platelet count is measured on an in-clinic hematology analyzer before every injection so Dr. Clark knows what the preparation contains. Bone marrow concentrate, which contains your own cells, including stem cells, may be considered for more advanced damage or when PRP alone may not be enough. Research on both is still developing, and the evidence is stronger for some conditions than others. See how PRP and BMC compare.
Your first visit
What happens at the first shoulder visit?
Your first visit lasts up to 90 minutes, which leaves time for a full history, a hands-on exam and diagnostic ultrasound before any treatment is discussed.
Detailed history
When it started, what you've already tried, what helped and what didn't, and whether the shoulder wakes you at night or limits how you reach and lift.
Pain-reproducing exam
Dr. Clark examines the rotator cuff tendons, the AC joint, the labrum, the joint capsule and the nerves, trying to reproduce your pain so he can tell which structures are involved.
Diagnostic ultrasound
In-office ultrasound shows the tendon or capsule in real time. You can watch the screen while Dr. Clark explains what he sees and how it fits with the exam.
Dr. Danny Clark performs every procedure
Dr. Clark is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Director of Orthobiologics at Protea. He graduated with honors from Sonoran University of Health Sciences and completed a two-year residency in regenerative medicine. His interest in pain care grew out of his own sports injuries, and he is a triathlete himself.
Recovery
How long until I notice a difference?
Response varies with the tissue, the injury and the person, so there is no set timeline. Every procedure includes a full re-evaluation at three months, with an exam and ultrasound, to review how the shoulder has responded.
You'll leave with recovery instructions tailored to your treatment, and the team coordinates with your physical therapist so your rehab fits the procedure you had. Procedures are done one at a time, and you and Dr. Clark decide together whether anything more is needed. General health can also affect recovery; Dr. Clark discusses why injuries may become more common after menopause and how hormonal changes may relate to tissue repair. For an overview of the whole process, watch The Complete Orthobiologics Patient Experience.
Keep exploring
Other conditions Dr. Clark evaluates
Videos and articles on joint pain and regenerative care · New patient information
Prefer we call you?
Talk to us about your shoulder
The simplest first step is a free 15-minute discovery call. If you'd rather we reach out first, leave your details and a care coordinator will call you.
- First visit up to 90 minutes, with diagnostic ultrasound
- Every injection ultrasound-guided
- 3-month re-evaluation included with every procedure
This content is for education and is not medical advice. It does not replace an evaluation with a licensed provider, and no one should start, stop or change a medication on its basis.
Questions
Questions about PRP and shoulder pain
Can PRP help a partial rotator cuff tear?
For some partial tears it can be an option to discuss. Dr. Danny Clark may use PRP or bone marrow concentrate, placed at the tear under ultrasound guidance, with the goal of supporting the tendon's repair. Results vary, and the exam and ultrasound determine whether your shoulder is a reasonable candidate.
Is there an alternative to rotator cuff surgery?
Protea Performance Center works in the space between physical therapy and surgery. For some partial tears, or when physical therapy has not helped enough, orthobiologic injections are an option to discuss. They are not a substitute for surgery in every case, and Dr. Clark will tell you plainly what the evaluation shows, including when he thinks a surgical opinion is worth getting.
What is hydrodilatation for frozen shoulder?
Hydrodilatation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses fluid, or PRP, to stretch the shoulder joint capsule from the inside. The goal is to improve range of motion and reduce pain. Dr. Clark performs it under ultrasound guidance.
How long does frozen shoulder last?
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) can cause pain and stiffness that lasts many months, and sometimes longer. Because the course varies, many people ask about treatment options rather than waiting it out.
Is every shoulder injection ultrasound-guided?
Yes. Every injection is guided by real-time ultrasound so the needle reaches the intended tendon, joint or capsule rather than the general area. Image guidance improves placement accuracy; it does not by itself guarantee a result.
How much does PRP for the shoulder cost?
There is no single flat rate. Pricing depends on the biologic used and the complexity of the procedure, and the team can go over current pricing on your free discovery call.
Where is Protea Performance Center?
We are in south Tempe on Elliot Road near I-10. Patients come to us for shoulder care from Phoenix, Chandler, Ahwatukee, Gilbert and Mesa.
How do I get started?
Book a free 15-minute discovery call. There is no obligation. It is a chance to describe your shoulder, ask questions and decide whether a full evaluation makes sense.
Start with a conversation
Schedule a free discovery call about your shoulder
The call takes 15 minutes and there is no obligation. Tell us what's going on with your shoulder, ask your questions, and we'll help you decide whether a full evaluation with Dr. Clark makes sense.