Healing of ligaments and tendons is a slow process and requires time and patience, these aftercare instructions for Prolo or PRP joint injections help guide the process. Most ligaments and tendons heal within a period of 3 months; however, the majority of healing after a prolotherapy/PRP session occurs in the first two weeks. The first 4 days post prolotherapy/PRP treatment are the most important. Because the PRP or Prolo are calling on blood and stem cells to flood the joint, expect some swelling that lasts up to one week. Avoid stressing the joint or you may cause the treatment to be ineffective. Let the blood and stems cells carry out their good work.
The next 10 days should be a gradual return to 60-75% activity levels using pain as your indication to pull back.
In the case of Prolotherapy/PRP, non-painful normal activity movement, stretching, and exercise are important for the laying down of normal collagen in the healing of ligaments or tendons. Therefore, use common sense in your daily, exercise, or sports activity.
DO NOT IMMOBILIZE any treated joint with a sling or restrictive bandage. A sacroiliac belt may be appropriate. Move and exercise the treated joint as much as possible throughout the post-prolotherapy/PRP healing phase, including normal/routine daily activity movements. However, limit the degree of range of motion and strength exercising to that which is tolerated BEFORE it becomes painful. Let pain limit your movement or degree of stretching. Do not participate in aggressive exercise training or sports activities until you have received endorsement from the doctor who is treating the injury.
Following joint stabilization, we recommend yoga or Pilates and walking. Rehabilitative therapies help resolve residual compensatory myofascial restriction and core muscular weakness problems (e.g., core weakness, short leg abduction weakness, scoliosis).
For the relief of post-therapeutic pain, DO NOT use any steroidal or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (see list below)—neither prescribed, over the counter, oral, or injection for four weeks following prolotherapy/PRP treatment.
DO NOT APPLY ICE at any time during the course of Prolotherapy/PRP.
You can use diffuse, intense heat (e.g., sauna, hot tub) on the treated area during the first three days following Prolotherapy—a hot shower or bath is also acceptable – but only for short periods of less than 10 minutes. After the third day, you may use local or diffuse heat if it provides comfort as needed.
NUTRITION: During the course of Prolotherapy treatment sessions, it would be helpful to take supplemental Vitamin C to take advantage of its function in facilitating the laying down of new collagen. Supplements may be recommended by your provider.
In the case of Prolotherapy/PRP, non-painful normal activity movement, stretching, and exercise are important for the laying down of normal collagen in the healing of ligaments or tendons. Therefore, use common sense in your daily, exercise, or sports activity.