Your body knows how to heal itself. It sends blood and other fluids to the injured area to surround and protect the tissue — hello, swollen ankle, knee, or shoulder. Eventually, the platelets in your blood release growth factors that begin the healing process.
Unfortunately, sometimes inflammation persists longer than needed, hindering rather than helping healing and causing secondary problems like chronic pain — the solution is more platelets.
Platelets are the superheroes that flush away inflammation and trigger a cascade of growth factors that stimulate and accelerate healing, and that’s what platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy does.
Dr. David Wu at CurePain in Torrance, California, specializes in PRP injections for many types of soft-tissue injuries, such as chronic musculoskeletal pain, acute sports injuries, osteoarthritis, and tendonitis. However, the treatment works better if you give it a helping hand.
He encourages all our PRP patients to go the extra mile after their injections to maximize the treatment’s effectiveness and pain relief. Here’s how to get the most out of PRP.
PRP therapy isn’t a quick fix like epidural steroid injections. It takes time to work, and you might initially feel more pain due to the induced swelling. The swelling indicates that the blood cells are beginning their healing process.
Over time, as the platelets work, you’ll notice a reduction in pain and an improvement in the treated area. For best results, follow Dr. Wu’s post-care regimen.
Watch for unusual reactions, such as excessive swelling, redness, or severe pain. While some discomfort is normal, let us know if you experience any extreme symptoms.
To prevent infections, keep your PRP site clean and dry, and leave the bandage on for 12-24 hours. If the bandage gets wet, change it.
Expect some swelling and bruising for three to seven days after the procedure.
DO NOT use ice on the PRP site. Swelling is a natural and necessary part of the healing process and critical to healing.
PRP ultimately reduces pain, but it may worsen before it gets better. You may experience severe pain at the PRP site for 24-48 hours. Here’s how to manage it properly.
Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol® or Ultram® (tramadol) rescue post-PRP pain, but don’t exceed 3,000 mg of Tylenol within 24 hours.
For two weeks following your PRP injections, avoid any drugs containing the following:
If you’re unsure about a medication, ask Dr. Wu.
Dr. Wu provides specific guidelines on which activities are safe and which to avoid depending on your injury. The restrictions generally depend on the location of the PRP injection.
If your PRP injection was in the arm, wrist, or shoulder, refrain from pulling, tugging, lifting, or repetitive movements for six weeks.
If you received a PRP injection in the hip, knee, ankle, or foot, you'll likely need crutches for the first day or so. Gradually ease back into walking so you don't exacerbate the pain.
Don’t drive for 24 hours if you’ve had anesthesia or are taking narcotic pain drugs. It’s best to have someone else drive you home.
If you had PRP injections in your hip, knee, ankle, or foot, arrange for someone to drive you. However, if your injection was in your wrist, arm, or shoulder and you didn’t have a nerve block, you may drive an automatic transmission car.
Our CurePain team wants you to get the most out of your PRP injections, so we’ve compiled a list of our top tips for maximizing your results:
Drink plenty of water to help your body heal and reduce the risk of constipation if you’re taking narcotic pain relievers.
Healing is hard work. Give your body what it needs to accomplish the task by eating a nutritious diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Movement aids healing, but don’t overdo it. Engage in gentle exercises like light walking or stretching to improve circulation and recovery.
Smoking hinders healing by reducing blood flow and oxygen to the tissues. Avoid tobacco products for at least two weeks before and after your procedure.
Alcohol interferes with inflammation and healing, impairing the effectiveness of the PRP therapy. Avoid alcohol during your recovery.
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with Dr. Wu. These check-ins are critical for monitoring your progress and making necessary adjustments to your care plan.
For more information about PRP, call CurePain in the South Bay or request an appointment online.
