What should I stop before a PRP injection?

Patients are often advised to avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac for around 7–10 days before PRP, unless advised otherwise. Prescribed anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicines should not be stopped without medical advice.

Which foods and supplements should I avoid before PRP?

As a precaution, non-essential supplements with blood-thinning or platelet-inhibiting effects are often paused for 5–7 days before PRP. These may include fish oil, high-dose vitamin E, turmeric or curcumin supplements, garlic capsules and ginkgo. Follow clinician-specific advice.

What should I eat and drink before and after PRP?

A balanced diet with adequate protein, vegetables, fruit and whole foods is recommended. Good hydration before the blood draw and during recovery is important. Reducing excess alcohol and highly processed foods around the procedure may help support recovery.

Is increased pain normal after a PRP injection?

Yes. Temporary soreness, stiffness or a flare in symptoms is common after PRP, often lasting 24–72 hours and sometimes longer, particularly for tendon treatments. This usually settles as healing progresses.

What pain relief can I use after PRP?

Paracetamol is commonly recommended. NSAIDs are often avoided for a period after PRP as they may interfere with the intended healing response. Your clinician will advise on timing based on your condition.

What exercise should I do or avoid after PRP?

Relative rest is usually advised for the first 48 hours, followed by gradual return to gentle movement and walking. Structured rehabilitation typically follows over weeks 2–6. High-impact exercise and heavy lifting are generally avoided early on.

When should I contact the clinic urgently after PRP?

Contact the clinic if you develop fever, increasing redness, significant swelling, worsening pain that does not settle, persistent leakage from the injection site, new numbness or weakness, or calf swelling after lower-limb injections.

PRP Injection Preparation and Aftercare Guide from ACTIVATE in London & Kent

Mustafa Alnaib
5 hours ago
4 min read

If you are booked for a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection at ACTIVATE Musculoskeletal Clinic (Kent and London), the way you prepare beforehand and what you do afterwards can meaningfully influence your outcome. PRP is made from your own blood, so optimising platelet function and avoiding things that blunt platelet activity helps us deliver the best-quality injectate for joint, tendon, and ligament problems. This is our PRP injection preparation guide for our patients in London and Kent

Key takeaways

Stop anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) before and after PRP, unless your clinician advises otherwise.
Avoid common supplements that can reduce platelet activity (for example fish oil and high-dose turmeric) for a short period pre-injection.
Hydration, sleep, and sensible activity matter.
Expect a short-term flare in pain and stiffness after PRP. This is common and usually settles.
Your rehab plan is part of the treatment, not an optional extra.

Before your PRP injection

1) Medication checklist

PRP relies on platelet activation. Certain medicines can reduce platelet function and may reduce effectiveness.

Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac) for 7–10 days before your appointment, unless you have been told you must continue them.
Paracetamol is usually fine for pain relief.
If you take aspirin or other antiplatelet/anticoagulant medicines, do not stop them yourself. We will advise you, and if needed liaise with your GP or specialist.

If you are comparing injection options, see our joint injections information here

2) Supplements and diet

Several supplements can have mild blood-thinning or platelet-inhibiting effects. As a practical precaution, consider pausing these for 5–7 days before PRP (unless prescribed):

Omega-3 fish oil
High-dose vitamin E
Turmeric or curcumin supplements
Garlic capsules
Ginkgo, ginger, high-dose green tea extract

Diet does not need to be perfect, but do aim for “low inflammatory basics” for the week before:

Prioritise protein, vegetables, fruit, and whole foods
Reduce excess alcohol and very high sugar intake
Avoid turning up fasted and dehydrated

3) Hydration and sleep

Drink water regularly for 24 hours before your appointment.
Aim for a good night’s sleep. Poor sleep can increase pain sensitivity and stress hormones, neither of which helps recovery.

4) Exercise

Light activity is fine. If you are able, short walks in the walk before is reasonable. On the day, do not arrive exhausted or dehydrated.

After your PRP injection

1) Normal symptoms

It is common to experience:

Increased pain, stiffness, warmth, or a heavy ache for 24–72 hours
A “flare” that can last up to 7–10 days in some cases, particularly with tendons

This is not necessarily a bad sign. PRP aims to stimulate a healing response.

2) Pain relief

Avoid NSAIDs after PRP because they may interfere with the desired inflammatory healing phase. A typical guide is 2 weeks post-injection, sometimes longer depending on the site and condition.
Use paracetamol as first-line.
Ice is optional. If you are very sore, brief cooling for comfort is reasonable, but avoid prolonged icing as your body is trying to mount a local healing response.

3) Activity and rehab timeline

Your exact plan depends on whether we treated a joint (for example knee osteoarthritis) or a tendon/ligament (for example tennis elbow, gluteal tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy).

A sensible general approach:

First 48 hours: relative rest. Normal daily activities are fine. Avoid heavy lifting, running, and impact.
Days 3–7: gradually increase walking and gentle range-of-motion work.
Weeks 2–6: structured rehabilitation is key. For tendons and ligaments, this usually means progressive loading. For joints, it may include strengthening, mobility, and activity modification.
Beyond 6 weeks: we reassess response and progress. Some patients benefit from a planned series.

4) When to contact us urgently

Contact the clinic if you develop:

Fever, increasing redness, significant swelling, or escalating pain that does not settle
Persistent wound leakage (if any)
New numbness, weakness, or calf swelling (particularly after lower limb injections)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PRP Injection preparation in London and Kent

How soon will I feel a difference?

Some patients notice improvement within 2–4 weeks, but tendon and ligament responses often take longer. A fair window is 6–12 weeks.

Can I drive home?

Usually yes. If you are having more than one area of injection, arrange a lift. The key test is being able to perform an emergency stop (brake, and holding the steering wheel).

Can I exercise after PRP?

Yes, but timing matters. Early overloading can set you back. We will guide you based on the tissue treated and your baseline fitness.

Can I have PRP if I am diabetic?

Often yes, but outcomes may be better when blood sugar is well controlled. We may discuss timing and optimisation.

Do I need an ultrasound-guided injection?

For many tendon/ligament targets and some joints, ultrasound guidance improves accuracy. We routinely use ultrasound in all PRP injections.

Is PRP better than hyaluronic acid or cortisone?

It depends on the diagnosis and goals. We discuss options at assessment. For an overview of alternatives, visit our comprehensive guides on all out injections

Book your appointment

Book Online

If you have PRP booked already and want tailored advice for your specific condition, contact us and we will confirm exactly what to stop, what to continue, and how to plan your rehab. If you are ready to proceed, book online via ACTIVATE Musculoskeletal Clinic (Kent and London).

👉 View injection pricing:https://www.mskclinic.co.uk/prices-injections-ultrasound-london-kent

👉 Contact the clinic:https://www.mskclinic.co.uk/contact-us

📧 Email: alnaib@mskclinic.co.uk

📞 Call us on WhatsApp: +447369222132

About the Author: Dr. Mustafa Alnaib MBChB, MRCS, MSc, FEBOT is an orthopaedic surgeon, musculoskeletal doctor and Clinic Director at ACTIVATE Musculoskeletal Clinic in Kent & London