Getting PRP Therapy for the First Time — What Can You Expect?

PRP is a popular regenerative medicine treatment; it uses your body’s own resources to speed up your healing process and relieve pain! Indeed, many patients value it as part of their road to recovering from injuries or dealing with chronic conditions like osteoarthritis. Are you thinking about getting PRP for the first time? Here is an overview of what you can expect:

What Is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a medical treatment that involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting this plasma into the area that needs help to heal.

Platelets are components in your blood that play a key role in tissue repair and inflammation control. By increasing the concentration of these healing factors at the site of injury or pain, PRP aims to accelerate your body’s natural healing processes.

Physicians frequently recommend PRP for conditions such as joint pain, muscle injuries, and more.

Before PRP

Before your first PRP session, your healthcare provider will likely talk to you about your medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals.

You might receive instructions to avoid certain medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, for a few days prior to your appointment. These medications can interfere with the activity of platelets.

You should also drink plenty of water the day before and eat a light meal beforehand, since these steps help make the blood draw more comfortable.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing so the provider can access the treatment area easily, and plan to arrive a little early to fill out any required paperwork.

During Your Appointment

The PRP procedure usually takes about one to two hours from start to finish.

First, a healthcare professional will draw blood from your arm, similar to what happens during routine lab tests. The blood sample then goes through a centrifuge machine, which separates the platelets from other blood components.

Once the PRP solution is ready, your provider will clean the treatment area and use a fine needle to inject the plasma directly where it is needed. Often, ultrasound guidance is used to make sure the injection reaches its target.

You may feel a brief pinch or mild pressure during the injection, but most people find the discomfort minimal.

After PRP

You may notice some swelling, redness, or mild soreness at the injection site, but these effects usually fade within a few days. Your provider will recommend that you rest the treated area for a short period, although you can usually return to light activities soon after your appointment. You should avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for at least a day or two.

The full benefits of PRP therapy may take several weeks to become noticeable as your body continues the healing process.

Your healthcare provider may schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and discuss whether additional PRP sessions could support your recovery.

PRP therapy is nothing to stress about! The entire process is pretty easy from start to finish.

Meet the Practice

At the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics, our team is proud to provide a broad range of minimally invasive therapies for musculoskeletal conditions, including injuries, osteoarthritis, and more. PRP is among the many services we provide. If you have questions about this treatment or would like to request a consultation, contact our Fort Lauderdale location at 954-563-2707.