Platelet rich plasma therapy looks deceptively simple on the day you get it. A short blood draw, a spin in the centrifuge, a guided injection, and you are headed home with a small bandage. Recovery, however, follows its own biology. Platelets release growth factors over days to weeks, and the tissue remodeling that follows takes time. Understanding that timeline helps you plan work, training, childcare, and realistic expectations for pain and function.
I have guided hundreds of patients through recovery after PRP treatment injections, from PRP knee injections for osteoarthritis to PRP joint injections for tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and even PRP hair restoration. The broad principles are similar, yet the pace and milestones shift depending on what you treat and how aggressive your injection protocol was. Here is how recovery usually unfolds, and what you can do to stack the odds in favor of better outcomes.
What PRP is really doing after the needle is out
A quick refresher helps explain the rhythm of recovery. A platelet rich plasma injection concentrates your own platelets, typically 3 to 8 times baseline, and delivers them to an injured or degenerative site. Those platelets degranulate, releasing a cocktail of growth factors and cytokines that modulate inflammation, recruit reparative cells, stimulate angiogenesis, and encourage collagen remodeling. In tendons and ligaments, that translates to better organized collagen over weeks to months. In joints, PRP seems to temper synovial inflammation and may improve the milieu of cartilage and subchondral bone. On the scalp, PRP hair treatment aims to prolong the anagen phase and increase hair shaft caliber. For facial skin, PRP facial injections and PRP microneedling target texture and fine lines by supporting dermal repair.
That biology explains why pain sometimes increases in the first few days, why NSAIDs are restricted, and why dramatic changes often appear later than you might hope.
The first 72 hours: what to expect and what to avoid
Most people walk out after a PRP injection procedure without much fuss, though the joint or tendon can feel heavy, full, or sore. For PRP injection for knees, a sense Home page of pressure deep in the joint is common for 24 to 48 hours, especially if a higher volume was used. For PRP injection for shoulder or elbow pain, a dull ache may bloom a few hours later. PRP scalp injections sting during the session, then feel tender to touch for a day or two.
The first three days are about respectful stillness and symptom management. Ice can be used sparingly for comfort in many protocols, though some clinicians avoid heavy icing to allow the inflammatory cascade to proceed. Acetaminophen usually suffices for pain. Most practices ask you to avoid ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin beyond cardiac dosing, and other non steroidal anti inflammatories for at least one to two weeks because they blunt platelet function and may impair benefits. If you rely on NSAIDs, ask in advance about alternatives or bridging plans.
For PRP therapy for joints, especially knees and hips, plan to limit weight bearing activity and avoid prolonged standing in the first 24 to 48 hours. For PRP injection for tendinitis in the Achilles or patellar tendon, expect a sharp, localized increase in pain if you overdo it. Many tendon protocols encourage relative rest with gentle range of motion rather than full immobilization. If your clinician used a peppering or fenestration technique to stimulate healing, tenderness will be more pronounced for a few days.
Patients treated with PRP hair treatment can usually wash hair the next day with mild shampoo, avoid harsh chemicals for several days, and skip hot yoga or saunas for 48 hours to minimize swelling. After a PRP facial injection or PRP microneedling session, you can anticipate pinpoint redness and a tight, sunburned feel for 24 to 72 hours. Makeup and active skincare are usually paused per your provider’s instructions, often 24 to 48 hours.
The first two weeks: the inflammatory phase and realistic function goals
From day 3 to day 14, platelets continue to release growth factors and signal to local cells. Pain typically waxes and wanes, with an overall trend toward improvement. In the clinic, I warn patients that “good days and cranky days” are normal here. If you drive stick and you had a PRP injection for meniscus tear or knee osteoarthritis, plan your commute so you are not trapped in traffic with a throbbing joint the day after a physical therapy session.
Light activity generally resumes within a few days, guided by pain. For PRP injection for plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy, cushioned shoes and short walks are fine as long as symptoms stay mild and recede within 24 hours. For PRP injection for rotator cuff or lateral epicondylitis, expect gentle range of motion and isometrics, not kettlebell snatches. Athletes itching to train can cycle with low resistance or swim with a pull buoy, but should avoid sprints, plyometrics, and heavy eccentric loading during this window unless explicitly cleared.
As a rule, no deep tissue massage at the injection site for two weeks, and no oral NSAIDs. Brief icing as needed, acetaminophen as needed, and sometimes a short taper of a non NSAID pain adjunct if discomfort is significant. Sleep is a bigger lever than most people realize. A week of 7.5 to 8 hours nightly correlates with fewer flare ups. Alcohol is better minimized for the first few days, especially after PRP knee injections, to avoid fluid shifts and poor sleep.
Weeks 3 to 6: rebuilding capacity and measuring the first true gains
This stretch separates patients who coast from those who improve. For PRP therapy for joints and tendons, tissue remodeling is underway. Collagen crosslinking improves and fibers begin to align with load. That means graded loading becomes your friend, not your enemy. I usually pair PRP injection therapy with a staged physical therapy program starting around week 2 or 3 for tendons, a bit later for irritated joints.
If your PRP injection for tennis elbow targeted the common extensor tendon, expect a progression from isometrics to light wrist extension and gripping exercises with low pain provocation, then to eccentric loading and functional tasks. For PRP injection for patellar tendonitis, decline board squats at low volume can reenter your plan once daily pain is quiet and morning stiffness is short. For PRP injection for shoulder issues like rotator cuff tendinopathy, scapular control and rotator cuff isometrics progress to external rotation strengthening at 0 to 45 degrees abduction, then higher range work.
Swelling and soreness should trend down. If you still wake with night pain and you are three weeks out from a platelet rich plasma injection for knees, revisit your plan. Did you ramp up too fast, are your shoes overdue for replacement, is your desk setup sabotaging you? Fine tuning matters here. For PRP scalp injections, early signs of response are subtle: less shedding in the shower, shorter hair cycle dormancy, and a slight increase in hair shaft thickness by month two or three. For PRP facial rejuvenation, texture and glow improve gradually; acne scars soften over several sessions, not one.
For desk workers who had PRP injection for wrist pain, most can type freely by this phase but should keep micro breaks and neutral wrist positioning. For runners who had PRP injection for hip pain related to gluteal tendinopathy, a return to run program often starts between weeks 4 and 6 if daily living is comfortable and single leg strength has improved.
Two to six months: consolidation, durability, and honest reassessment
By two months, the majority of responders report meaningful relief. With PRP injection for chronic tendinitis, I often see 40 to 70 percent improvement by 6 to 8 weeks, then further gains by three to four months as loading progresses. For PRP injection for knee osteoarthritis, function improves first, then pain during higher demand tasks follows. Stairs and long walks become reasonable again, and the need for braces or canes decreases. When PRP injection for cartilage damage or degenerative joint disease is used, results vary with disease severity. Mild to moderate osteoarthritis tends to respond better than advanced bone on bone changes.
Hair regrowth timelines are slow by nature. PRP hair restoration protocols typically include three sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, then maintenance every three to six months. Early photos at month three can look underwhelming; month six and twelve comparisons tell the real story. A similar cadence applies to PRP facial treatment series, where collagen remodeling continues for months, and each session builds on the last.
If you reach three months with little or no change, it is time for a frank conversation. Not every condition responds to platelet rich plasma therapy. Some partial tears, entrenched tendinopathies with heavy neovascularization, and advanced osteoarthritis may need adjuncts or alternative plans. At that juncture, we sometimes consider a booster PRP injection, or switch strategies altogether: hyaluronic acid for lubrication, a short course of a different biologic, surgical consult for mechanical issues, or targeted shockwave therapy for tendon pathology. PRP vs steroid injection is a common comparison here. Steroids can quiet pain fast but may weaken collagen and have short durability. PRP’s value lies in longer term tissue support, yet it does not replace the need to correct biomechanics and load management.
A condition by condition look at typical recovery timelines
The specifics matter. Here is what I see most often with common indications, assuming a well performed platelet rich plasma injection and solid adherence to the plan.
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. After PRP injection for lateral epicondylitis or medial epicondylitis, pain often peaks within 48 hours, steadies by a week, and improves by 4 to 6 weeks. Gripping strength lags but should follow as pain recedes and strength work progresses. A single injection can suffice, though stubborn cases sometimes need a second at 8 to 12 weeks.
Patellar or Achilles tendinopathy. Expect a slow burn recovery. The first week is tender, week 3 begins light loading, and weeks 6 to 12 show the clearest functional gains. Runners often resume easy mileage around week 6 to 8 if morning pain is minimal.
Plantar fasciitis. With ultrasound guided PRP injection for plantar fascia, allow for a painful first few days and insist on calf flexibility and intrinsic foot strengthening as you heal. By 6 to 8 weeks, most describe a step change in morning pain.
Rotator cuff tendinopathy. Soreness in the first week, better sleep by week 3 or 4, and improved overhead work by two to three months. If a high grade partial tear exists, progress is slower and sometimes incomplete without surgical repair.
Knee osteoarthritis. PRP knee injections show variable timelines. Stiffness and swelling for a few days, then a gradual ramp over 4 to 8 weeks. Patients often report walking tolerance doubling by two months. PRP vs hyaluronic acid injection depends on your goals. In mild arthritis, PRP often outperforms hyaluronic acid on pain and function at six months, though not every head to head trial agrees and protocols differ.
Hip abductor tendinopathy and greater trochanteric pain. Sitting tolerance and side sleeping improve by 6 to 8 weeks. Side plank holds and single leg stance become the yardsticks for progress.
Wrist and hand tendinopathy. Typing and lifting improvements show by week 4 to 6, with grip heavy tasks trailing slightly.
Back and neck pain. PRP injection for back pain, sciatica, or herniated disc sits in a more complex category. Some clinics use PRP in facet joints, epidural spaces, or discs. Outcomes vary widely and depend on accurate diagnosis and technique. Expect a longer, less predictable arc, with reassessment at two to three months critical for deciding next steps.
Hair thinning and alopecia. After PRP injection for hair loss, shedding often decreases by month two, density looks better by month three to six, and maximal gains show at month nine to twelve. Maintenance is key.
Facial and skin applications. PRP facial injection and PRP microneedling have quick social downtime, usually two to three days of redness. Texture and fine line changes evolve over two to three months per session, and series of three provide visible results in photo comparisons.
How to speed healing without sabotaging the biology
The fastest recoveries I see follow simple, disciplined habits. Small missteps, repeated daily, stall progress.
- Protect the first 72 hours. Plan rides, meals, and help at home so you can truly take it easy. Short walks and gentle range of motion are fine, but avoid heavy lifting, sprints, and long car rides the first two days. Load gradually and specifically. Add stress in steps. If you tolerate 10 minutes of easy cycling, go to 15 before you add resistance. Use pain the next morning as your compass. Prioritize sleep and protein. Aim for 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram daily for a few weeks, distribute across meals, and protect a regular sleep schedule. Skip NSAIDs and smoking. Both blunt healing signals. If you use nicotine, even a short pause around treatment helps. Coordinate with your therapist. Share the injection details and protocol. A therapist who knows you had a fenestration will sequence loading differently than after a single bolus PRP injection.
Pain control that respects PRP
Managing pain without dimming platelet activity is a balancing act. Acetaminophen remains first line for most. Topical lidocaine can help near the skin for PRP scalp injections or facial work. Some clinics use short courses of tramadol or gabapentinoids for difficult nights, though those are not universal and come with side effects. Ice for 10 minutes at a time can make sleep possible, but avoid numbing the area all day. Bracing occasionally helps early on, for example a wrist brace for PRP injection for wrist pain during work, then off at home to encourage gentle motion.
If you are on daily aspirin for heart protection, do not stop without a conversation with your cardiologist. If you take chronic NSAIDs for another condition, weigh the pros and cons with your treating clinician. Glucose controlled diabetes matters as well, since high glucose can impair healing. This is where personalized plans trump generic advice.
When to call your clinician
A platelet rich plasma injection is generally safe, but no procedure is risk free. Red flags include fever over 100.4 F, spreading redness, severe escalating pain that does not respond to acetaminophen and rest, calf swelling after a lower limb injection, or new numbness or weakness after a spine related procedure. A small bruise at the blood draw site is common. A brief flare of pain, particularly after tendon fenestration, is expected. Distinguish a manageable flare from a concerning complication by pattern and severity. If you are not sure, reach out. Early evaluation prevents big problems.
Setting expectations about number of sessions and durability
How long does a PRP injection last? In joints, improvements often build over two to three months and persist six to twelve months, sometimes longer. Mild knee osteoarthritis can respond to a series of two to three PRP knee injections spaced four to six weeks apart, with annual maintenance for active patients. Tendons often do well with one to two sessions, though recalcitrant cases might require a third. Hair restoration programs typically start with three sessions, then maintenance every three to six months. Facial rejuvenation follows a similar series based on goals.
PRP injection cost varies widely by region, practice, and whether ultrasound guidance and preparation systems concentrate leukocytes or not. Success rates also vary with indication and technique. For lateral epicondylitis, many practices see 70 to 85 percent meaningful improvement. For knee osteoarthritis, responder rates in prp injection Florida mild to moderate cases often fall in the 50 to 70 percent range. For hair thinning, combining PRP with medical therapy like minoxidil or finasteride yields better outcomes than PRP alone.
It is worth comparing PRP vs cortisone injection and PRP vs steroid injection in a practical sense. Steroids provide fast relief, often within days, but the effect may fade in weeks and repeated injections can carry risks for tendon and cartilage. PRP takes longer to work, but when it works, the gains tend to last longer and align with actual tissue change. PRP vs hyaluronic acid injection is another common decision point in knees. Hyaluronic acid can lubricate and reduce pain in some patients, with responses peaking at two to three months. PRP often shows similar or better mid term outcomes in mild osteoarthritis, but not uniformly, and combined approaches are being studied.
Technique and preparation matter more than most patients realize
A platelet rich plasma injection is not a commodity. The concentration of platelets, the presence or absence of leukocytes, the volume delivered, and whether ultrasound guidance is used can shift outcomes. For tendons with degenerative changes and neovessels, a leukocyte rich PRP with peppering may be selected. For intra articular PRP injection for arthritis, a leukocyte poor preparation may minimize synovial irritation. Using ultrasound to place PRP precisely on the diseased portion of a tendon or within the joint compartment changes the math on recovery time and results. Talk to your clinician about their approach and why they choose a specific protocol for your case.
How to integrate PRP into a broader recovery plan
PRP therapy rarely stands alone. It works best when it is one piece in a coherent plan. For runners, that means honest mileage caps, cadence work, and strength programming that addresses deficits in the kinetic chain. For desk bound patients, that means keyboard setup, breaks, and progressive grip and forearm work after PRP injection for tennis elbow. For those with knee osteoarthritis, think weight management, hip and quad strength, and activity modification. For PRP hair restoration, combine with topical minoxidil, low level laser therapy, and nutrition that supports hair growth. For facial rejuvenation, PRP can be paired with microneedling or lasers in a staged way to amplify collagen remodeling without overtaxing the skin.
One story that illustrates the arc well: a 42 year old recreational tennis player with chronic extensor tendinopathy failed months of bracing and therapy. He underwent platelet rich plasma injection therapy with ultrasound guidance and fenestration. The first week hurt more than he liked. He stuck to isometrics, added eccentric loading at week three, and began short court hitting with soft balls at week six. By week ten, he resumed full play with a new grip size and a commitment to forearm conditioning and shoulder rotation drills. At six months he described himself as 90 percent, with pain flares only after marathon sessions, which he addressed with smarter scheduling rather than more injections. The PRP did not fix his backhand mechanics. The combination did.
A brief refresher on what to avoid
Patients often ask for a simple checklist of pitfalls. Keep it short and memorable.
- No NSAIDs for at least one to two weeks, longer if advised. No heavy or ballistic loading of the treated tissue for two to three weeks. No deep massage or dry needling right over the injection site for two weeks. No smoking or vaping if you can help it, especially around treatment. No skipping follow up. Small course corrections at week two or four save months later.
Where PRP likely does not fit
PRP is not a panacea. Advanced joint collapse with severe deformity, full thickness tendon ruptures with retraction, unstable ligament tears that need surgical repair, and diffuse inflammatory arthritides often need different strategies. PRP injection for sciatica or herniated disc has mixed evidence and depends heavily on precise diagnosis and interventional technique. PRP injection for back pain caused by facet arthropathy can help some, but it is not first line for every back problem. Be wary of broad promises. Ask what success looks like in your specific scenario, what percentage of patients like you improve, and what plan B and C look like.
The bottom line on PRP injection healing time
Most patients can map their recovery from platelet rich plasma treatment on a steady timeline. Expect soreness for two to three days, cautious activity for one to two weeks, measurable progress by weeks three to six, and more durable gains by two to six months. Recovery speed varies with what you treat, how the PRP was prepared and placed, and how you load the tissue afterward. The fastest path is rarely the most aggressive one. It is the one that respects biology, applies progressive stress at the right moments, and sticks with the plan long enough for the tissue to remodel.
If you go in with clear expectations, a plan for the first week, and support from a clinician who tailors PRP injection therapy to your body and your goals, you give yourself the best chance to get the result you want.