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PRP Hip Injections in Newport Beach for Hip Arthritis, Bursitis, and Tendon Pain
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Shahbazian (Dr. Mike), Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Pain Management Physician | Last reviewed: September 2026
If you have been told your options are pain medication, cortisone injections, or eventually hip surgery, there may be another option to consider. At OC Regenerative and Pain Center in Newport Beach, Dr. Mike offers PRP hip injections, a non-surgical treatment prepared from your own blood. For appropriately selected patients, PRP may help reduce pain and improve function while allowing you to remain active.
What is PRP, in plain terms?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Platelets are small components of your blood that play an important role in the body's natural healing response. We draw a small amount of your blood, process it to concentrate the platelets, and use image guidance to precisely deliver the PRP to the targeted joint or tendon.
Learn more about platelet-rich plasma therapy.
PRP hip injections at a glance
Conditions we evaluate for PRP: hip osteoarthritis, gluteal tendinopathy and greater trochanteric pain syndrome ("hip bursitis"), selected tendon disorders around the hip, and, in carefully selected cases, symptoms associated with labral pathology.
What it is: an injection of your own concentrated platelets, guided by ultrasound or live X-ray so it lands in the right spot.
Time in the office: about an hour, and you go home the same day.
When you may notice a difference: PRP is not an immediate pain-relief injection. When improvement occurs, it generally develops gradually over the weeks and months following treatment.
Cost and insurance: PRP is usually not covered by insurance; we give you a clear quote up front, and payment plans are available.
Common Hip Conditions We Treat with PRP
"Hip pain" is not one thing. It can come from the joint itself, from the tendons on the outside of the hip, or from the ring of cartilage that seals the socket. Each one is treated a little differently, and part of your first visit is figuring out which one you have. PRP may be an option for the conditions below, but only after Dr. Mike has examined your hip and looked at your imaging.
Hip Osteoarthritis (Early to Moderate)
Osteoarthritis, or "wear-and-tear arthritis," happens when the smooth cartilage that cushions the ball of your hip joint slowly thins out. You usually feel it as a deep ache in the groin or the front of the hip, stiffness first thing in the morning, and trouble putting on socks or getting out of a low chair. For early-to-moderate hip arthritis, a PRP injection placed inside the joint may help calm inflammation, ease pain, and keep the joint moving. PRP is generally considered more appropriate for earlier stages of hip osteoarthritis than for advanced "bone-on-bone" disease. It does not cure arthritis or rebuild cartilage that is already gone, which is why Dr. Mike looks at your X-ray or MRI before recommending it.
Outer Hip Pain: Hip Bursitis and Gluteal Tendinopathy
If your pain is on the outside of the hip, right over the bony point you feel when you lie on your side, you may have been told you have hip bursitis. In most cases, the real problem is wear and fraying in the two tendons that attach your gluteal (buttock) muscles to that bony point, with the small fluid-filled cushion nearby (the bursa) getting irritated too. Doctors call this gluteal tendinopathy or greater trochanteric pain syndrome. It is the pain that stops you from sleeping on that side and makes stairs miserable. For gluteal tendinopathy, PRP is typically directed toward the affected tendon under ultrasound guidance rather than simply injected into the hip joint. Research in this area is evolving. Some randomized studies have shown longer-lasting improvement with PRP compared with corticosteroid injections, while other high-quality studies have not shown a significant advantage over placebo. Dr. Mike considers the diagnosis, imaging findings, prior treatment, and severity of the tendon problem before recommending PRP.
Hip Labral Tears
The labrum is a ring of soft cartilage around the rim of the hip socket. It deepens the socket and helps hold the joint together. When it tears, often from years of a slightly mismatched ball and socket (called hip impingement) or from a sports injury, you may feel a deep groin ache along with catching, clicking, or a sense that the hip might give out. Significant labral tears associated with mechanical symptoms such as locking may warrant orthopedic evaluation. For selected patients with symptoms associated with a labral tear, an image-guided intra-articular PRP injection may be considered as a non-surgical option for symptom management. PRP does not mechanically repair a torn labrum. Evidence for PRP specifically for hip labral tears remains limited, and larger controlled studies are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. Dr. Mike will discuss these limitations with you so you can make an informed decision.
Hamstring and Hip Flexor Tendon Pain
Not all hip pain is the joint. Runners, golfers, and active adults often come to us with tendon pain around the hip: a deep ache in the "sit bone" that flares when you sit, run, or lunge (hamstring tendinopathy), or pain and snapping at the front of the hip when you lift your leg (iliopsoas or hip flexor tendinitis). When appropriate conservative treatment has not provided sufficient improvement, an image-guided PRP injection may be considered as part of the treatment plan for selected chronic tendon problems.
Not sure which of these is causing your pain? That is exactly what the first visit is for. Request a consultation or call (949) 207-9494 and we will help you figure out the next step.
Why Image Guidance Matters for PRP Hip Injections
The hip joint and surrounding tendons are deep structures located near important nerves and blood vessels, making accurate needle placement important. That is why Dr. Mike, a board-certified, fellowship-trained pain management physician, performs PRP hip procedures using real-time image guidance. Depending on the structure being treated, he uses ultrasound or fluoroscopy (live X-ray) to visualize needle placement and accurately deliver the PRP to the intended joint or soft-tissue target.
Image guidance is a standard part of these procedures at our practice, not an added service.
What the Research Says About PRP Injections
PRP is widely used in musculoskeletal medicine, but the strength of evidence varies by condition, and PRP injections are not FDA-approved specifically as a treatment for hip osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, or labral tears. Some devices used to prepare PRP have FDA clearance for specific processing purposes; that is different from FDA approval of PRP as a treatment for a particular orthopedic condition. Research on PRP continues to evolve, and results depend on factors including the condition being treated, PRP preparation, injection technique, and patient selection.
Hip arthritis. Clinical trials and systematic reviews suggest that PRP may improve pain and function in some patients with hip osteoarthritis (read the study). However, results across studies are not uniform, and some analyses have found outcomes similar to hyaluronic acid or placebo injections (read the study). Differences in PRP preparation, arthritis severity, injection protocols, and study design make it difficult to predict how any individual patient will respond. The available research supports discussing PRP as a treatment option for appropriately selected patients while maintaining realistic expectations about the potential benefits and limitations.
Outer hip pain (hip bursitis / gluteal tendinopathy). This is where the evidence is strongest. In a study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 80 people with long-standing outer hip pain were split into two groups: half got one ultrasound-guided PRP injection and half got one cortisone shot. At three months and again at six months, the PRP group was doing better. Two years later, the PRP group was still improved, while the cortisone group's relief had peaked at about six weeks and worn off within six months (read the study). A separate review in the Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery concluded that PRP is a reasonable option for outer hip pain that has not responded to rest, physical therapy, or other conservative care (read the review).
Labral tears. Evidence for PRP as a non-surgical treatment for acetabular labral tears remains limited. A small pilot study reported improvement in pain and function after image-guided PRP injections, but larger controlled studies are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn (see the trial). PRP should therefore be considered selectively and with realistic expectations about the current evidence.
As with any treatment, results vary from person to person.
The PRP Hip Injection Process: Step-by-Step
Everything happens in our Newport Beach office, and you go home the same day.
01
Evaluation and Imaging Review
Dr. Mike examines your hip and reviews your X-ray or MRI. He is looking at how much arthritis is there, whether the labrum or a tendon is the problem, and whether the pain is actually coming from your lower back or the joint where your spine meets your pelvis (the sacroiliac joint), which can feel like hip pain. If the spine turns out to be the real source, he may talk with you about PRP for chronic back pain instead. An in-office consultation allows Dr. Mike to examine your hip, correlate the physical examination with your imaging, and determine whether the hip or another structure such as the lumbar spine or sacroiliac joint is actually the source of your pain.
02
The Simple Blood Draw
We draw a small amount of blood from your arm, just like a routine lab test. Because PRP is made from your own blood, the chance of an allergic reaction is extremely low.
03
Concentrating Your Platelets
Your blood is processed using a specialized centrifuge system that separates and concentrates the platelet-rich portion of your blood. This process takes only a short time and prepares the PRP for your injection.
04
Image-Guided Injection
After numbing the skin, Dr. Mike uses ultrasound or live X-ray to guide the needle either into the hip joint (for arthritis and labral tears) or along the sore tendon (for outer hip, hamstring, or hip flexor pain), and delivers the PRP right where it is needed.
Treatment recommendations are individualized, regenerative therapies are not a substitute for standard medical care, and results may vary.
What to Expect: PRP Hip Injection Recovery
PRP works by kick-starting your body's own healing, so it is not an instant fix. Because you stand and walk on your hip all day, the first few days can feel stiffer than an injection in a shoulder or elbow would. Everyone heals at a different pace, but here is what most patients experience:
Results vary by individual. Not all patients respond the same way to regenerative therapy. Dr. Mike will monitor your progress and adjust your plan based on your clinical response.
DAYS 1–3
WEEKS 1–2
WEEKS 3–6
MONTHS 3–12
Temporary soreness, stiffness, or aching can occur after the injection and generally improves as the initial post-procedure reaction settles. Walking and light daily activity are fine. Skip running, jumping, and deep squats. Dr. Mike may ask you to avoid certain anti-inflammatory medications before and after PRP because some medications can affect platelet function. Medication instructions are individualized; do not stop aspirin, blood thinners, or other medically necessary medications unless the prescribing clinician has approved it. Follow Dr. Mike's specific instructions regarding ice, activity, and pain control after the procedure.
Most people are back to their normal daily routine. If you were treated for outer hip pain, sleeping on that side may still be uncomfortable for a while; a pillow between your knees helps. Keep avoiding high-impact exercise.
When improvement occurs, it may become more noticeable during this period. Depending on the condition treated, Dr. Mike may recommend a progressive rehabilitation or physical therapy program to restore strength, mobility, and appropriate loading of the hip and surrounding tendons.
Improvement, when it occurs, may continue over the following months. The need for additional treatment depends on the diagnosis, severity of the condition, clinical response, and Dr. Mike's reassessment.
PRP vs. Cortisone vs. Hyaluronic Acid for Hip Pain
If you have been offered other hip injections, here is how they compare in plain terms.
Cortisone (steroid)
Cortisone (steroid) injections can provide relatively rapid pain relief, although the benefit is generally temporary. When treating tendon-related outer hip pain, repeated corticosteroid injections are used cautiously because of concerns about adverse effects on tendon tissue.
Hyaluronic acid ("gel")
Hyaluronic acid ("gel") injections are designed to supplement the joint's natural lubricating fluid. Studies comparing hyaluronic acid with PRP for hip osteoarthritis have reported similar short-term outcomes, although major U.S. guidelines do not currently recommend hyaluronic acid injections for symptomatic hip osteoarthritis.
PRP
PRP takes a different approach. It uses a concentrated portion of your own blood containing platelets and signaling proteins that may influence the local healing and inflammatory response. Improvement, when it occurs, may develop gradually. Research comparing PRP with other injections has produced encouraging but mixed results, depending on the condition being treated.
None of these is right for everyone. Dr. Mike will explain which option fits your hip, your imaging, and your goals, and he will tell you if PRP is not the best choice for you.
Who Is a Good Candidate for PRP Hip Injections?
PRP hip injections may be a good fit if:
You have symptomatic early-to-moderate hip arthritis and are looking for a non-surgical treatment option
You have outer hip pain (hip bursitis or gluteal tendon pain) that has not improved with physical therapy or a cortisone shot
You have symptoms associated with labral pathology and, after appropriate evaluation, a non-surgical approach is considered reasonable
You want to stay active without relying on daily pain medication
PRP is less likely to help, and Dr. Mike will tell you so, if you have:
Advanced "bone-on-bone" arthritis or a significantly misshapen hip joint
An active infection
Certain blood or platelet disorders
A medical reason you cannot pause anti-inflammatory medication
If your hip condition is not well suited for PRP, Dr. Mike may discuss other options with you. In selected cases, these may include BMAC (bone marrow aspirate concentrate) therapy or, when appropriate, adipose-derived regenerative approaches that use a small-volume liposuction procedure to obtain and process your own fat tissue. These treatments are considered on an individual basis based on your diagnosis, imaging findings, overall health, treatment goals, and the available evidence and applicable regulatory requirements.
If an orthobiologic treatment is unlikely to provide meaningful benefit, Dr. Mike will tell you and may recommend evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon. The goal is to help you choose the treatment that makes the most sense for your condition, not to recommend a procedure simply because it is available.
Patient Success Stories
"I recently had a platelet rich plasma injection with Dr. Mike and really appreciated the level of care and attention to detail. So far, I’m noticing meaningful improvement and appreciate the focus on long-term results rather than temporary fixes.
If you’re looking for a higher level of care and are considering PRP, I would absolutely recommend Dr. Mike."
Amir A.
The "Regenerate. Don't Medicate." Approach to Hip Health
Hip pain treatment should begin with identifying the source of the problem, not simply masking the symptoms. Our philosophy is "Regenerate. Don't Medicate." When appropriate, PRP allows us to use a concentrated portion of your own blood as part of a non-surgical, image-guided treatment plan. The goal is to reduce pain, improve function, and help you stay active while using medication and surgery appropriately rather than automatically.
Please note: Patients should not stop any currently prescribed medications without consulting their treating physician first.
Ready to Explore PRP Hip Injections in Newport Beach?
If hip pain is changing how you walk, sleep, or spend your weekends, and rest, physical therapy, or cortisone have not given you lasting relief, we would like to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mike to find out whether PRP hip injections in Newport Beach are the right next step for you. Patients come to us for hip PRP from across Orange County. Your initial consultation is performed in person so Dr. Mike can examine your hip, review your imaging, and determine whether PRP is appropriate for your condition. If treatment is recommended, you will receive a clear treatment plan and pricing information before proceeding.
Or call us at (949) 207-9494
Disclaimer: All treatments are individualized based on clinical evaluation. Regenerative therapies are not a substitute for standard medical care. Results may vary. Not all patients are candidates for PRP therapy.