Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatments Help Golfer Get Back Into the Swing of Things
August 06, 2025
Jim Schleifer first noticed pain in his left elbow while playing golf in Boston in August 2023. For weeks after, the pain didn’t go away.
“When I’d hit a golf ball, it would be a sudden, sharp pain,” says Jim, 69.
When he returned to his home in Florida, his doctor said it was a tendon injury. He tried cortisone injections, physical therapy and a Tenex ultrasound procedure—but the relief didn’t last long.
In July 2024, Jim visited his children and grandkids in New Jersey. He spent some time golfing again—and that’s when things got worse.
“I hit a shot out of the weeds, and my arm just totally blew out,” Jim says. “At that point, I figured that I needed surgery.”
Platelet-Rich Plasma Provides a Non-Surgical Solution
Jim met with Rocco Bassora, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Hackensack University Medical Center. After learning about Jim’s treatment history, Dr. Bassora recommended a non-invasive approach. He hoped platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections might heal Jim’s tendon. He referred Jim to Chris Cherian, M.D., an orthopedic and sports medicine specialist who specializes in non-surgical treatments, such as PRP.
PRP is a treatment that uses the body’s own healing powers. First, doctors take a small sample of the patient’s blood. Then, they place it in a machine called a centrifuge, which spins the blood rapidly. This separates the platelets—tiny cells that help with healing—so they can be injected directly into the injured area.
“Platelets are like Marines – soldiers on the ground that get to the injury first,” Dr. Cherian says. “We’re hacking into the body’s healing response.”
PRP injections are generally not covered by insurance, so patients often have to pay for them out of pocket.
During the PRP procedure, Dr. Cherian uses an ultrasound to guide the injection. “We can visualize the tear in the tendon and use precise image guidance to put the platelets right where the injury is,” he says.
A Painless Procedure
Jim had his first PRP injection in November 2024 in Dr. Cherian’s office. The procedure took less than an hour.
“It was absolutely painless,” Jim says. “Dr. Cherian talked the whole time, which put me at ease, with his knowledge and experience.”
Despite the ease of the procedure, Dr. Cherian was cautious about Jim’s outlook. He estimated Jim had a 65 percent chance of success. He told Jim not to play golf for 12 weeks and sent him to physical therapy.
“It takes six to 12 weeks for PRP to start working,” Dr. Cherian says. “I asked him to adjust his golf activity to give it the best chance of healing.”
After the physical therapy, Jim noticed improvement.
“I worked religiously, three days a week with a therapist, a couple days a week on my own, and it started to heal,” Jim says. “It was more aggressive than the physical therapy I’d had in Florida, and it made a difference.”
When Dr. Cherian saw Jim after 12 weeks, he was 85 percent better. At that point, Dr. Cherian recommended a second PRP injection.
After another course of physical therapy and four weeks without golf, the tendon healed.
Back on the Links
After another check-in, Dr. Cherian let Jim resume his golf game and devised a return-to-golf program. Jim returned with chipping, then half-swings, until he could play normally again.
“I’ve been playing golf four days a week, pain-free, for two months,” Jim says. “I haven’t been able to do that in 18 months.”
Jim wears an elbow brace at Dr. Cherian’s recommendation, but he has no restrictions on using his elbow.
“Dr. Cherian is a genius when it comes to this treatment,” Jim says. “I also appreciate Dr. Bassora, who could have said, ‘Let’s do surgery.’” Instead, he’s glad Dr. Bassora looked for a minimally invasive option. Avoiding surgery has made all the difference for Jim and his love of golf.
“Jim was very motivated to get back to playing golf,” Dr. Cherian says. “He was great about following doctor’s orders, and it ended up being a positive outcome.”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our sources: Rocco Bassora, M.D., and Chris Cherian, M.D.
- Make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist near you or call 800-822-8905.
- Learn more about orthopedics at Hackensack Meridian Health.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
