Markham, Ontario · Physician-performed

Joint Regenerative Therapy (PRP) in Markham

Regenerative treatments using PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin), or a combination with hyaluronic acid (HA) help reduce pain, improve joint function, and support the body's natural healing processes. Personalized treatment plans are designed to relieve symptoms and enhance mobility for patients with osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Price

from $600

Appointment

60 minutes

Performed by

Dr. Mazzuca, MD

Location

Markham, ON

Book a Consultation   Book Joint Regenerative Therapy directly

Quick answer

Joint regenerative therapy in Markham at Dr. Monique Mazzuca Aesthetics starts at from $600 and is assessed and performed personally by a licensed physician (MD, CCFP) in a 60-minute appointment. Dr. Mazzuca uses PRP (platelet-rich plasma), PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) or a combination with hyaluronic acid to reduce pain and improve function in osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Most patients need 1 to 3 injections a few weeks apart. Expect a few days of soreness, then gradual improvement over 4 to 8 weeks; when it helps, relief often lasts around 6 to 12 months, although results vary. It does not rebuild cartilage. New patients start with the $50 Comprehensive Aesthetic Consultation.

What joint regenerative therapy is

Joint regenerative therapy is an injection treatment that uses your body's own healing biology, sometimes combined with a lubricating gel, to ease pain and improve how a joint or tendon works. At this clinic it uses one of three approaches, chosen for your condition:

• PRP (platelet-rich plasma). A small sample of your blood is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which carry growth factors involved in tissue repair and in calming inflammation.
• PRF (platelet-rich fibrin). A related preparation from your own blood, spun differently so that it forms a fibrin matrix and releases growth factors more gradually.
• PRP or PRF combined with hyaluronic acid (HA). Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of joint fluid. Injected into a joint (sometimes called viscosupplementation), it is used to improve lubrication and cushioning. Some physicians combine it with PRP so that patients get both effects.

PRP has been used in sports and musculoskeletal medicine for many years. It is not a cure for arthritis and it does not grow back lost cartilage. The aim is realistic: less pain, better function and more comfortable movement, so that you can stay active and get more out of exercise and physiotherapy.

How it works

Osteoarthritis is more than "wear and tear". The cartilage that lines the joint thins over time, the bone underneath changes, and the joint lining becomes inflamed, which drives pain, stiffness and swelling. Chronic tendon problems (tendinopathies) are similar in that the tendon has a failed or stalled healing response rather than simple inflammation.

When PRP is injected into or around a joint or tendon, the platelets release growth factors and other signalling proteins over several days. These are thought to modulate inflammation in the joint lining, influence the cells that maintain cartilage and tendon, and encourage a more organised healing response. Hyaluronic acid adds a separate, mechanical benefit by improving the quality of the joint fluid. Because the effect is biological rather than instant, improvement builds over weeks.

Joint regenerative therapy in Markham: what it treats

Conditions Dr. Mazzuca may assess for regenerative injection include:

• Knee osteoarthritis, which has the largest body of research for PRP and hyaluronic acid.
• Osteoarthritis of other joints, such as the shoulder, the base of the thumb and other small joints of the hand, and the ankle. The evidence for these is more limited and the decision is individual.
• Chronic tendinopathies, such as tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer's elbow, rotator cuff tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis, usually after a good trial of physiotherapy and load management.

Some joints, such as the hip, sit deep in the body and are usually injected under imaging guidance. Dr. Mazzuca will tell you whether your joint can be treated at the clinic or whether a referral is more appropriate. Acute injuries, a hot swollen joint, suspected fracture, and inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout flares need a different work-up and are not treated with PRP as a first step.

What the evidence says

Patients deserve a straight answer here. Multiple randomised trials and meta-analyses in knee osteoarthritis have found that PRP can reduce pain and improve function, with benefits commonly reported at six to twelve months, and several studies suggest the effect may last longer than a cortisone or hyaluronic acid injection alone. For tennis elbow, a number of trials also favour PRP over cortisone at longer follow-up.

At the same time, the research is uneven. Studies use different preparations and protocols, not every trial is positive, and professional guidelines differ: some list PRP as an option for knee osteoarthritis, while others do not yet recommend it routinely. In practice, PRP tends to help most in mild to moderate arthritis and is less predictable in severe, bone-on-bone disease. Dr. Mazzuca will discuss where your condition sits on that spectrum before you decide.

How many injections you need

The plan depends on the joint, the preparation used and how you respond. A typical approach looks like this:

Phase	Typical schedule	At from $600 per treatment
Single injection	Sometimes enough for a tendon or milder arthritis	from $600
Initial series	Up to 3 injections, about 2 to 4 weeks apart	from $1,200 to $1,800
Review	Function and pain reassessed after the series	Part of your plan discussion
Repeat treatment	If symptoms return, often after 6 to 12 months	from $600 per injection

These are illustrative figures using the listed starting price, not quotes. Your plan and pricing are confirmed at your assessment before treatment begins.

How much joint PRP costs in Markham, and insurance

Joint regenerative therapy with Dr. Mazzuca is from $600, booked as a 60-minute appointment that allows time for assessment, the blood draw, preparation and injection. New patients begin with the $50 Comprehensive Aesthetic Consultation (30 minutes), or a $20 virtual consultation if you are outside the Markham area. The final price depends on the preparation (PRP, PRF or a combination with hyaluronic acid) and the number of areas treated, and is confirmed before treatment.

PRP injections are not covered by OHIP. Some private extended health plans reimburse part of the cost of certain joint injections, particularly hyaluronic acid, sometimes with a referral or a diagnosis on file. Coverage varies widely, so check with your insurer before booking; the clinic can provide a receipt for you to submit.

Who it is for, and who should wait

Good candidates are adults with mild to moderate osteoarthritis or a chronic tendon problem whose pain has not settled with exercise, physiotherapy, weight management and simple pain relief, and who want to delay or avoid repeated cortisone injections or surgery. It also suits active patients who want to stay in sport, and those who prefer a treatment made from their own blood.

It is less likely to help if the joint is severely worn (bone on bone), badly deformed or locking, and it is not a substitute for a surgical opinion when a joint replacement is the right answer. Dr. Mazzuca will review your history and may postpone or advise against treatment if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding;
• have a platelet disorder, low platelet count or bleeding disorder;
• take blood thinners that cannot safely be paused;
• have an infection in or near the joint, a skin infection at the injection site, or are unwell with fever;
• have an active cancer, a history of blood cancer, or are receiving chemotherapy;
• have had a cortisone injection into the same joint recently;
• have a known allergy to any component of a hyaluronic acid product, if HA is planned.

Poorly controlled diabetes and heavy smoking can weaken the response. Anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen) are usually paused for about a week before and two weeks after a PRP injection, because they may blunt the healing response. Never stop a prescribed blood thinner without talking to the doctor who prescribed it.

What the appointment is like

1. Assessment. Dr. Mazzuca takes a history and examines the joint. If you have X-rays or other imaging, bring the reports; if imaging is needed and you have none, she may order it before treating.
2. Blood draw. A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm, like a routine blood test.
3. Preparation. The blood is spun in a centrifuge and the platelet-rich layer is drawn off. If hyaluronic acid is part of your plan, it is prepared at the same time.
4. Sterile preparation and numbing. The skin over the joint is cleaned with antiseptic, and a local anaesthetic may be used to make the injection more comfortable.
5. Injection. The preparation is injected into the joint or around the tendon. The injection itself takes a few minutes; most patients feel pressure and a sense of fullness.
6. Home. You leave with written aftercare instructions. For a knee or ankle, some patients prefer a ride home.

The whole visit is booked for 60 minutes.

Results: when you see them and how long they last

A regenerative injection is not an instant fix, and the first week can feel worse before it feels better.

• First 2 to 7 days: aching, stiffness or swelling in the joint is common as the healing response starts.
• 2 to 8 weeks: gradual improvement in pain, stiffness and function for patients who respond.
• 3 months onward: the benefit is usually clearest after a full series combined with an exercise or physiotherapy program.

When PRP helps, relief commonly lasts around six to twelve months, and some patients do well for longer. Results vary with age, the severity of the arthritis, body weight, activity level and the joint involved, and some patients do not respond. Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, so repeat treatment may be considered when symptoms return.

Side effects and risks

Because PRP and PRF come from your own blood, allergic reactions to the preparation itself are not a concern. Common, temporary effects are:

• a post-injection flare of pain, stiffness or swelling for two to seven days;
• bruising or tenderness at the injection site or where blood was drawn;
• a feeling of fullness in the joint.

Less common or rare risks include feeling faint during the blood draw, irritation of a nearby nerve, and, with hyaluronic acid, an inflammatory reaction in the joint. The most important rare risk of any joint injection is infection inside the joint (septic arthritis). It is uncommon with sterile technique, but it is a medical emergency. If the joint becomes increasingly hot, red, swollen and painful, or you develop a fever or feel unwell in the days after an injection, contact the clinic right away or go to the nearest emergency department.

Aftercare

• Rest the joint for 24 to 48 hours. Gentle movement is fine and helps stiffness, but avoid running, heavy lifting and high-impact sport.
• Use ice wrapped in a cloth for comfort, 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Avoid heat in the first 48 hours.
• Use acetaminophen for pain if needed. Avoid ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin (unless prescribed) for about two weeks.
• Keep the injection site clean and dry for the rest of the day, and avoid hot tubs, pools and baths for 48 hours.
• Return to activity gradually over one to two weeks, and restart your physiotherapy or home exercise program as directed.
• Book your next injection or review as planned so progress can be measured.

PRP vs cortisone, hyaluronic acid and surgery

Option	What it is	Where it fits
Exercise, physiotherapy and weight management	Strengthening, mobility work and reducing load on the joint	The foundation for every patient with osteoarthritis or tendinopathy; injections work best alongside it
Cortisone (steroid) injection	A strong anti-inflammatory injected into the joint	Fast, short-term relief of a flare, often for weeks; repeated injections into the same joint are usually limited
Hyaluronic acid injection	A gel that supplements the joint fluid	Mild to moderate knee arthritis; effect builds over weeks; evidence is mixed
PRP or PRF	Concentrated growth factors from your own blood	Mild to moderate arthritis and chronic tendinopathy; slower onset; aims for longer-lasting relief
PRP or PRF with hyaluronic acid	A combination of both approaches	Selected patients with joint arthritis, where Dr. Mazzuca feels both biological and lubricating effects are useful
Surgery, including joint replacement	Orthopaedic repair or replacement of the joint	Severe arthritis or structural damage that limits daily life despite other treatment

The same PRP and PRF preparations are used elsewhere in the clinic for hair thinning and under-eye rejuvenation; the general overview is on the PRP page.

Why patients choose a physician for joint PRP

At this clinic the person assessing you and the person treating you are the same person, and that person is a licensed physician. Dr. Mazzuca is an MD with CCFP certification in family medicine and additional training in cosmetic medicine, facial anatomy, women's health, and longevity medicine. Treatment is not delegated.

Her stated approach is to emphasise "subtle, elegant results that refresh rather than transform, using the least invasive treatments necessary to achieve safe, natural, and lasting outcomes."

For joint pain, a medical assessment is the most important part of the visit. Dr. Mazzuca is a family physician who can take a full history, examine the joint, order imaging or bloodwork, recognise problems that need a different treatment, such as inflammatory arthritis or a torn structure, and refer you to sports medicine, rheumatology or orthopaedics when that is the better path. She performs the blood draw, preparation and injection herself under sterile technique.

Booking, pricing and what happens next

Step	What it involves	Cost
1. Consultation	Facial and skin assessment, discussion of goals, customized plan	$50 (30 min)
2. Virtual option	Video consult if you are outside the Markham area	$20 (15 min)
3. Joint Regenerative Therapy	Treatment performed by Dr. Mazzuca	from $600 (60 minutes)

All appointments are booked online through the clinic's booking system, where current availability and pricing are shown before you confirm.

Serving Markham and the Greater Toronto Area

The clinic is located at 200 Cachet Woods Court, Suite 309 in the Cachet Woods area of Markham, near Woodbine Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive, with parking on site. Patients travel from Unionville, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Aurora, Stouffville, Thornhill, North York, Scarborough and the wider GTA. If you are outside the area, a virtual consultation is available before you commit to an in-person visit.

Frequently asked questions

Every treatment on this page is booked through Dr. Mazzuca's secure online system. New patients begin with a consultation; returning patients can book the treatment directly.

Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Monique Mazzuca, MD, CCFP. Last reviewed 2026-08-07.

This page is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for an in-person assessment. Results vary between patients, and every treatment carries risks that are reviewed with you before you consent. Suitability is determined by Dr. Mazzuca at your consultation.

Other treatments at the clinic