After Your PRP or Prolotherapy Treatment
Rest is important during the first 24 hours after treatment. Please spend the day and evening after your PRP or Prolotherapy quietly. I strongly urge you to relax by listening to soothing music, sleeping, meditation, etc. … whatever you find quietly relaxing. Also, wearing a boot or brace to restrict movement is not recommended, as mobility can help with healing if you don’t overdo it. And there is no “one-size-fits-all” recommendation for stretching and strengthening after treatment.
Below are the recommended steps for best results as well as a description of what you can expect to feel during the various stages of recovery over the next six weeks.
What to Do for Best Results
- Do not wash the affected area for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
- Do not plan on doing any heavy activity for at least 24 hours, and up to 48 hours, after your procedure.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medications, such as: ibuprofen, Motrin, Nuprin, Advil, Relafen, Voltaren, Feldene, Clinoril, naproxen, Naprosyn, Aleve, and regular aspirin. Also anti-inflammatory herbs and minerals, such as: turmeric, ginger, tulsi (holy basil), green tea, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, and magnesium; also any alcohol and cannabis products, and all caffeine (including coffee, tea, and chocolate) for at least 10 days afterward (avoiding them for 2 weeks is ideal). One enteric-coated 81mg low-dose aspirin (“baby aspirin”) at bedtime is okay. Remember: we want to create an inflammatory response.
- If your foot or ankle was treated, use an ace wrap or soft elastic wrap on the ankle daily for 6 weeks.
- For any emergency or problems, I can be reached at (415) 763-9694.
- You may take Tylenol (acetaminophen) 350 mg (2 tablets) every 6 hours for pain relief.
- You may ice the area for 20 minutes every hour for pain relief.
What to Expect During the Healing Process
In the first few days after treatment, you will be sore. If you have a physically-demanding job, you will most likely have to take a few days off after treatment. The discomfort from the treatment will limit the amount of activity that you will feel like doing. Trust that feeling. Essentially, let pain be your guide. In this phase, you will likely feel stable. And if your issue is instability, the pain from instability will be better, even though you may still have pain from the injections. This phase lasts a week or so.
In the next phase, many of the symptoms you had before treatment may come back. This is normal. We sometimes call it the “prolo-coaster”.
After four to six weeks, things should be better. And we will call you at six weeks and check in with you. If your condition has not improved, or has not yet reached your goal, it may be wise to continue treatment.