Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment (PRP)
General Instructions
- Stop the following medications prior to the injection:
- Aspirin- stop 6 days before
- Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS)- stop 4 days before- For elbow/hand/ankle injections don’t
resume for 2 weeks - Plavix and other blood thinners- stop 7 days before
- Plan to have someone drive you home if you’ve had an ankle or achilles injection
- Your provider will evaluate on a case-by-case basis whether aspirin taken for other issues (cardiac, vascular, etc…) should be stopped or continued before the time of the injection
- Your provider may prescribe a pain medication at the time of the injection
- Injection site pain is usually worst 2-3 days after the injection
- Infection is very uncommon, but look for fever, chills, increased redness and drainage at the injection or
venipuncture site - It’s normal to feel worse or no better for up to four weeks
What to Expect
- After arriving a medical assistant will ask you a few questions regarding your medical history, they will also do some
simple tests such as take your blood pressure - Please inform the medical assistant and or/physician of any allergies you may have before your exam
- Your provider will discuss the therapy in detail with you and answer any questions you may have, unless already
discussed at your previous visit - The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes
- Your injection may be combined with a hyaluronic acid injection (see separate sheet)
After care following PRP Injection
- It is suggested to go home and not go back to work or run errands the same day
- Ice should be applied to the area of injection for about 20 minutes, 3 times a day for the next 48 hours
- For foot/ankle/elbow/hand injections DO NOT TAKE anti-inflammatory medications for the next two weeks
- Pain in the injection site is normal and to be expected
- Avoid vigorous or strenuous activities for the first 3-4 days for shoulder and knee, 7 days for elbow/hand, and 14
days for foot/ankle, then as tolerated - Upper extremity (shoulder/elbow): Start physical therapy if prescribed 3-4 days after injection or resume activities as
tolerated. A sling should be worn for 1 week for elbow injections - Knee (joint/patellar tendon): Start physical therapy if prescribed 3-4 days after injection or resume activities as
tolerated. - Foot/Ankle (joint/Achilles and other tendons/planter fascia): A cam walker boot should be worn for 3-4 days,
crutches as needed, then physical therapy should start
