When will I start to feel results after PRP?

What You Need to Know

It's common to feel no different, or even slightly worse, for the first several days after PRP, since the injection deliberately triggers an inflammatory healing response. Most patients who respond begin noticing improvement within three to six weeks, with continued gains over the following two to three months.

The Full Answer

PRP does not work like a cortisone shot, which can bring rapid but temporary relief by suppressing inflammation. PRP instead relies on stimulating the body's own repair process, which takes time to build. A short window of increased soreness in the first three to seven days is a normal part of that process, not a sign the treatment isn't working. Patients who are going to respond typically start noticing a difference within a matter of weeks, with results continuing to build for a couple of months, consistent with the six-to-twelve-month benefit window seen in patients who do respond.

What the Current Evidence Shows

Who May Benefit

When Surgery May Be More Appropriate

Dr. Tortland's Perspective

Setting expectations up front — that PRP is a slower, biologic process rather than an immediate fix — helps patients avoid concluding too early that a treatment 'didn't work' when they're still in the normal early window.