If you’re suffering from joint ailments, including arthritis, the cartilage around your bones has begun to break down. You may experience severe stiffness and inflammation of the knees, ankles, shoulders, and other joints. Similarly, a fracture or tear from strenuous activity contributes to limited flexibility and swelling.
When this happens, talk to your doctor about PRP injections. A PRP injection is a naturopath procedure that uses the body’s self-healing properties to reverse impairment. A doctor will take a sample of their patient’s blood and extract the plasma and platelets, which help with blood clots and healing. Then, they will reinject it near the affected joint.
PRP Recovery Time
How Long Should You Rest After a PRP Injection?
After the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, patients decide on downtime according to their needs. Although PRP patients commonly report swelling and pain within the first week of PRP injection recovery time, it doesn’t prevent them from getting back to their daily activities. Still, depending on the quantity and placement of injections, temporarily using a walker and resting the joints are more beneficial for others.
Recovery After a PRP Injection
It may take up to a month for most patients to see improvements around the affected site and between six to nine months for the injection to take full effect. Some patients may continue to feel the same stiffness and affliction for a while longer. If a patient reports no relief after three months, the doctor will deem the first one insufficient and perform a second PRP injection.
PRP Injection Recovery Process
While the body’s natural ability to heal may be quicker for one person than another, other factors affect the recovery process, including:
- Injection placement: PRP injections work faster in areas with more blood flow. Because of this, joints tend to have a quicker PRP recovery time of up to five days. Ligaments, tendons, and muscles, on the other hand, can take up to 10 days.
- Complication severity: PRP injections target the affected area with a concentration of regenerating healing cells. However, if injuries are severe, healthy cells are limited, making PRP injections less potent. While the injection may be effective, it may take longer to see results.
- The number of injections: Having one injection can slow a patient down. Multiple can keep them from going about their daily activities. With more painful injection sites, patients also prolong physical therapy, elongating PRP injection recovery time.
Do’s and Don’ts After PRP Injections Treatment
What Should I Do for PRP Injection Aftercare?
PRP recovery protocol insists you ice the injected area consistently after your procedure. Icing for 20 minutes every three hours alleviates some of the inflammation for pain relief.
On top of encouraging you to do as much activity as your body will allow after the injection, your doctor may also insist on physical therapy. Physical therapy strengthens and stabilizes the healing joint, muscle, tendon, or ligament. It will also improve blood flow to the area, enhancing the healing cell properties in the PRP injection.
What Should I Avoid After PRP?
Precautions after PRP injections mainly consist of listening to your body. If your pain levels are higher than a two on the discomfort scale, use a cane, walker, sling for your arm, boot for your foot, etc., and restrict excessive movement or activity.
What Is the Success Rate of PRP Injections?
While some experts insist that PRP injections are ineffective, numerous studies have shown a positive correlation between the injections and patient recovery. However, the success rate hinges on many factors.
For instance, 75% of patients with stage two osteoarthritis in the joints will have a better outcome, while only 60% of patients with stage four osteoarthritis will benefit.
Many doctors can also argue a 70% to 80% success rate for PRP injections in tendons and muscle. However, there’s currently no general agreement on its overall success rate.
Long-term success also depends on the patient’s ability to follow up with injections annually. PRP injections are not permanent, but their effects can last up to two years for some patients. Still, continuing with treatments once every 12 to 18 months helps to keep joints and ligaments intact.
Schedule Your PRP Injection Therapy Today!
Whether you’re looking for PRP injections for a torn rotator cuff, deteriorating cartilage in the joints, or successful hair growth, count on Port Orchard Natural Medicine. In addition, find more about plasma treatment for face near me. We’ll walk you through our naturopath remedies and PRP injection recovery times when you call today!