PRP vs Stem Cell Injections for Joint Pain | Elixir & Wellness Scottsdale

Dr. Stephanie Warner
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4 min read

Updated: 1d

Person kneeling, holding their ankle with a visible skeletal overlay and red highlight, indicating pain. Wearing black sneaker, neutral background. — Innovative regenerative medicine approaches target joint pain, promoting healing and mobility in the ankle.

PRP vs Stem Cell Injections for Joint Pain: Which Regenerative Treatment Is Right for You?

If you’ve been living with ongoing joint pain, stiffness, or limited mobility, you’ve probably heard about regenerative joint injections—advanced, non-surgical therapies designed to help your body heal naturally. Two of the most popular options are PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and stem cell injections, both available right here in Scottsdale, AZ at Elixir & Wellness.

These innovative treatments harness your body’s own biology to restore function, reduce inflammation, and get you moving again—without surgery or long-term medications.

Man doing a lunge stretch with a trainer in a gym. Mirror reflects their actions. Wooden floor, exercise ball, foam roller visible. Focused mood. — A man exercises with a physical therapist, demonstrating pain-free movement during a session focused on improving mobility and strength.

What Are Regenerative Joint Injections?

Regenerative medicine focuses on repairing and rebuilding damaged tissue rather than just masking symptoms. Treatments such as PRP, stem cells, and exosomes introduce concentrated healing factors directly into areas of degeneration—knees, shoulders, hips, elbows, and more—to help the body stimulate true repair.

At Elixir & Wellness in Scottsdale, these injections are often combined with red light, acupuncture and functional medicine for a whole-body, results-driven approach to healing and longevity.

How PRP Injections Work

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is derived from your own blood. After drawing a small sample, it’s spun in a centrifuge to concentrate your platelets—tiny cell fragments packed with growth factors that signal tissue repair.

When injected into an injured or arthritic joint, PRP can:

Decrease inflammation and pain
Promote collagen and cartilage repair
Improve flexibility and mobility

PRP is often used for:

Early-stage osteoarthritis
Tendon or ligament injuries
Post-workout or post-surgical healing support

Blood plasma is the yellowish liquid component of blood that remains after the blood cells have been removed. Picture of plasma in a test tube.

How Stem Cell Injections Work

Stem cell therapy goes much further in it's abilities. Stem cells—especially mesenchymal stem cells

—have the unique ability to develop into bone, cartilage, or muscle tissue. They also release bioactive proteins that modulate inflammation, bring new blood supply and restore/regenerate various tissues at a deeper level.

At Elixir & Wellness, stem cell injections are typically derived from carefully screened umbilical allografts or adipose tissue. They’re commonly used for:

Moderate to advanced joint degeneration
Chronic tendon or ligament injuries
More extensive arthritis or cartilage loss

While results vary, many patients report improved mobility and less pain over the months following treatment as tissue repair occurs naturally.

PRP vs Stem Cells: Pros, Cons, and Treatment Frequency

Treatment	Pros	Cons
PRP Therapy	Natural and safe (uses your own blood) • Minimal downtime • Lower upfront cost • Great first-line option for mild to moderate joint issues	May require a series of treatments for best results (typically 3–4 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart) • Results may appear gradually Best in those under age of 35
Stem Cell Therapy	Powerful regenerative potential • Often effective after a single treatment • Can address more advanced degeneration • Longer-lasting results in many cases	Higher initial cost • More extensive post-procedure rest •Most effective when diet and blood sugars are controlled Better for those over the age of 35

While PRP injections can be a more affordable starting point, they may require multiple sessions to achieve optimal tissue repair.Stem cell injections, on the other hand, are more advanced biologics that can often deliver more comprehensive regeneration after just one treatment.

So even though stem cell therapy has a higher upfront investment, it can sometimes be more cost-effective over time—especially for patients with moderate to severe joint degeneration who would otherwise need repeated PRP sessions.

Which Regenerative Treatment Is Right for You?

The best choice depends on:

Severity of joint damage: Mild → PRP | Advanced → Stem Cells
Lifestyle & activity level: Athletes or active adults often respond quickly to both therapies
Age dependent: individuals under 35 PRP will work best for, if over the age of 35 Stem Cells will be encouraged
Healing goals & budget: PRP offers affordability, anti-inflammatory, and mitigates pain. While stem cells may offer powerful repair and rejuvenation of tissues while also mitigating pain and inflammation.

During your consultation at Elixir & Wellness, we’ll review your health history, imaging, and functional goals to design a personalized regenerative plan. Some patients benefit from combining therapies, like pairing stem cell injections with IV exosome therapy for enhanced cell signaling and recovery.

Why Scottsdale Patients Choose Elixir & Wellness

Dr. Stephanie Warner, ND, LAc, blends ancient healing techniques from the east and west with modern regenerative science. Each patient receives a customized plan that may include acupuncture, customized IV treatments, and targeted regenerative therapies to restore vitality from the inside out.

At Elixir & Wellness, you’re not just treating pain—you’re rebuilding health, function, and longevity.