After the PRP therapy session, it is recommended that patients rest on the day of the procedure and limit use of the injection site for the next two days. However, it is important to move around to help the joint recover as the injection is absorbed by the tissues surrounding the area. Generally, the typical recovery time for any PRP treatment is 4 to 6 weeks. PRP injections used for musculoskeletal problems, especially joint injuries, usually require 6 weeks or more of recovery time.
For cosmetic PRP treatments, most patients can plan for up to 4 weeks at the beginning. Of course, there are some variations depending on the type of treatment received. For instance, joint (intra-articular) injections have a fast recovery time of 3-5 days with pain and possible swelling. On the other hand, tendon and ligament injections can be painful for 7-10 days and take 3 to 4 months for improvement. The first week after receiving a PRP injection, it is important to rest and not exercise.
Platelets need to attach properly and if you exercise or stretch too much, this process may be hindered. It is important to listen to your body, especially when in pain. During the first two weeks after the injection, it is best to refrain from straining. After this period, you can slowly return to regular activity.
Pain is a signal from your body to slow down. Recovery time from PRP injection varies by patient, but most patients return home on the same day of treatment. Many patients can return to work the next day, although some extend the recovery time from PRP to a few days to rest. After treatment, you may see a reduction in back pain symptoms in three to four weeks and healing can continue for up to six months. It is important to note that certain medications such as aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Alleve, Naprosyn, Naproxen, Celebrex, Mobic and Diclofenac will interfere with platelet function and are expected to decrease the response to a PRP injection. An important part of understanding recovery time from PRP injection is knowing the activity limitations expected of you. Modern studies suggest that PRP injections are more effective than cortisone injections which simply mask inflammation and have no healing capacity.
In this way, PRP injections use each patient's own healing system to improve musculoskeletal problems. People who have had lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and may have injected cortisone and continue to have pain may benefit from PRP therapy. PRP injections are used to treat many different orthopedic injuries and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis and arthritis. You should be aware that because PRP injections are used to promote faster healing and tissue growth, you will see more gradual results over the next two weeks rather than seeing an immediate change on the same day of the procedure. Recovery time from PRP injection is quite fast with usually a few days of pain and then improving over time. Recovery time from PRP injection varies depending on the area of the body being treated as well as the severity of the condition or injury. For instance, patients using PRP injections for hair can return to most normal hair-related routines after 3 weeks.