Why Do I Have Worse Pain After PRP Injections?

You’ve just had a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, hoping for pain relief and healing, but instead of feeling better, your pain seems to be getting worse. What’s going on? This situation can be alarming for many patients, especially when they expect improvement.

Increased pain after PRP therapy, however, isn’t necessarily a sign that something has gone wrong—it is a normal part of the PRP healing process. In this article, we’ll explore why post-injection pain happens, what’s expected, when to be concerned, and how to manage discomfort as your body responds to treatment.

Understanding PRP Therapy and the PRP Healing Stages

PRP therapy is a regenerative treatment for musculoskeletal pain and injury (such as osteoarthritis and tendonitis) that uses the body’s own healing mechanisms to repair damaged tissues. The PRP process works by drawing a patient’s blood, separating the platelets, and injecting the concentrated platelets into the injured area. These platelets contain potent growth factors that stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation over time, and promote healing at a cellular level.

However, because PRP injections stimulate the body’s natural inflammatory response, patients may experience increased pain following the procedure. This occurs as the platelets activate and trigger a temporary surge of inflammation, which is necessary for healing.

While this reaction can be uncomfortable, it typically subsides within a few days to a week as the body progresses through the stages of repair.

Other Common Reasons for Pain After PRP Injections

While post-PRP pain is often a normal part of the healing process, there are several other reasons why a patient might experience discomfort after treatment.

Injection Site Sensitivity

Any injection, particularly those into joints and tendons, may cause localized soreness. PRP injections involve inserting a needle into damaged tissue, which can temporarily increase pain and tenderness due to increased pressure in the area.

Increased Activity Too Soon

After a PRP injection, patients should initially limit physical activity to allow for proper healing. Resuming exercise or strenuous movements too soon can irritate the area, delay healing, and increase pain, which is why it’s so important to follow any post-injection care guidelines your provider gives you.

Pre-Existing Inflammation or Underlying Conditions

If the injection site was already significantly inflamed before PRP, the additional inflammatory response triggered by the injection may intensify pain. Conditions such as severe arthritis or significant tendon degeneration can contribute to prolonged discomfort as the body works to heal the affected tissue.

Needle Placement and Injection Technique

The skill and technique of the practitioner administering the PRP injection can also impact pain levels. If the injection is placed close to a nerve or in an area with significant scar tissue, it may cause additional irritation. Sometimes, patients may experience temporary radiating pain or soreness beyond the injection site.

PRP Recovery Time: How Long Does Post-PRP Pain Last?

For most patients, post-PRP pain typically peaks within the first 48–72 hours and gradually improves within a week. Milder discomfort may persist for a few weeks as the body heals.

However, if the pain worsens after 10–14 days, swelling doesn’t improve, or they experience redness, warmth, fever, or signs of infection, patients should seek medical attention. Numbness, tingling, weakness, or radiating pain could indicate nerve irritation and should also be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Tips for Managing Pain After PRP Injections

If you have worse pain after a PRP injection, you don’t have to grin and bear it. These are some of the best tips for effectively managing post-PRP pain:

• Follow Post-Treatment Guidelines: Follow your provider’s instructions on relative activity restrictions, pain management, and recovery timelines.
• Limit Activity: Avoid strenuous movements or high-impact activities after PRP therapy to prevent aggravating the treated area.
• Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: Proper hydration and a nutrient-rich diet support the body’s healing process.
• Avoid Anti-Inflammatory Medications: NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) can interfere with PRP’s healing response; use acetaminophen instead if needed.

If your post-PRP pain worsens, becomes unusual, or is accompanied by swelling, however, be sure to contact your healthcare provider. While this is rare, communicating with your provider can help ensure you’re getting the right care at every stage.

The Bigger Picture: What to Expect from PRP Therapy

Experiencing pain after a PRP injection can be unsettling, but in most cases, it’s a natural part of the PRP healing stages. And while short-term pain may be frustrating, the long-term benefits of PRP—improved pain, reduced inflammation, increased mobility, and lasting pain relief—are well worth the temporary discomfort.

Request an appointment with the team at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians today.