PRP and A2M After Treatment Guide
This guide covers what to expect after your PRP and A2M treatment, along with clear steps to support your body’s natural healing process. Following this aftercare guidance closely helps you get the most benefit from your PRP and A2M injections.
For further information and review of A2M (Alpha 2 Macrogloblulin) and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), click on the links below:
https://fullcircleorthopedics.com/services/platelet-rich-plasma-prp-injections/
Possible Symptoms:
- It is normal to feel sore for 2-3 days and rarely up to 7-14 days.
- It takes 6-8 weeks on average for the «full effect» but can take up to 12 weeks.
AVOID:
- Sit baths, pool, hot tub, sauna x 48 hours. You may take a shower and allow the water to run over the injection sites.
- Anti-inflammatories (known as NSAIDs) topically and orally for 7 days following the treatment. This includes Ibuprofen (Advil), Naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib (Celebrex), Meloxicam (Mobic), Arnica, Biofreeze, CBD, etc.
- Ice after the first 24hrs
May Use:
- For the first week, you may use over the counter analgesics (Tylenol ES 1-2 tabs 3x/day, lidocaine topically)
- Increase water intake
- Healthy Eating rich in protein, fruit, vegetables. Low in processed sugar and alcohol
- Increased rest, 8-9 hours sleep per night
- Bracing on affected limb or walking boot if instructed
Activity:
- Day 1-3 – Avoid use of affected limb as much as possible (except necessary daily use such as grooming, walking to/from car, etc)
- Day 4-7 – light use of limb affected
- After first 7 days, may increase you exercise by «25%» each week. This can be discussed in more detail depending on your sport
- Day 8-14 – Increase PT or light sport by «25%» each week, thereby resuming full-fledged exercise or sport by day 30 unless instructed otherwise (can discuss more sport specific strategy and goals)
- Note, you may resume regular exercises NOT using the affected limb after day 3 of injection. This will be discussed more fully on an individual basis.
Recovery Timeline:
Every patient responds a little differently, but most people follow a similar pattern after PRP and A2M treatment. In the first 3 days, rest and avoiding anti-inflammatories allow your body’s own healing process to fully activate. Between days 4 and 14, light activity gradually resumes as soreness continues to fade. By week 4, most patients are back to normal daily activities, with continued improvement building toward the 6-8 week mark. Some patients need up to 12 weeks to feel the full benefit of PRP and A2M, especially with more significant joint or tendon issues, so patience during this window makes a real difference in your final results.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why should I avoid anti-inflammatories after PRP and A2M treatment?
PRP and A2M work by triggering your body’s own healing and inflammatory response to repair tissue. NSAIDs can blunt this response, which is why we recommend avoiding them for 7 days following treatment.
Is it normal to feel sore after PRP and A2M injections?
Yes. Soreness for 2-3 days, and occasionally up to 7-14 days, is a normal part of the healing response and generally signals that the treatment is working as intended.
When can I return to exercise after PRP and A2M?
Most patients keep the affected limb at rest for the first 3 days, then gradually increase activity by about 25% each week, working toward full exercise or sport by day 30 unless otherwise advised.
Post-injection care protocols for regenerative treatments like PRP and A2M continue to be refined through clinical research, as documented in studies available on PubMed. General guidance on soft tissue injury recovery timelines is also outlined by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Call office if experiencing the following:
- Redness, swelling, increased temperature around area injected
- Numbness, tingling, or burning in limb injected
- Fever (over 99.9F), repeated chills
- Pain out of proportion of «normal soreness»