When it comes to PRP injections, the level of discomfort experienced depends on the part of the body being treated. Generally, injections into the joint are of minimal discomfort. There is some discomfort associated with both the need for blood to be injected and with the injection itself, as a needle must be placed through the skin. Anesthetics can be administered to help reduce this discomfort. The relief found with a PRP injection is not immediate, unlike that experienced with a cortisone injection.
While there may be some pain at the injection site for 1-2 days after the injection, this is usually not as bad as feared. Additionally, post-injection exacerbation may last 2-3 weeks. Your doctor may recommend a local anesthetic to control any discomfort associated with the procedure. General anesthesia is generally not used in conjunction with PRP therapy. Some people may experience a small amount of pain after the procedure, but this should not last longer than a few days and can be minimized with over-the-counter Tylenol.
It's essential to avoid anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aleve, Motrin, Celebrex, Naprosyn, and Mobic, as these medicines can prevent the healing process. PRP therapy is a good option for patients in whom other methods have failed. The injection process lasts no more than an hour and includes the creation of PRP from your own blood. Ultrasound guidance is commonly used to inject PRP into the appropriate tendon, ligament, or joint when targeting extremities. While there is some data to support the use of PRP injections in certain clinical situations, there are other data that question whether this is more beneficial than traditional treatment. Therefore, some patients may wish to receive a series of 3 PRP injections each year if they find them useful.
By injecting PRP into areas of injury, the hope is to stimulate and optimize the body's ability to heal chronic diseases.PRP injections are not covered by most insurance plans, so there's usually a fee to provide this service. It's important to consider your activities for the first few days after the injection, especially with the potential for a post-injection outbreak. In summary, PRP injections are generally not painful; however, this may vary depending on the patient or area of the body where the injection is given. Your doctor may recommend a local anesthetic to control any discomfort associated with the procedure. There may be some pain at the injection site for 1-2 days after the injection and post-injection exacerbation may last 2-3 weeks.
It's essential to avoid anti-inflammatory drugs as these medicines can prevent the healing process.