PRP Treatment General Instructions

Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment (PRP)

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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