A realistic PRP timeline
PRP is not a quick fix, and it shouldn't feel like one. In the first few days after treatment, it's common to be sore or a little swollen at the injection site — that's the healing response getting started, not a setback. From there, most people notice improvement building slowly over the following weeks rather than all at once.
For many injuries, the most meaningful gains show up somewhere around three to six months out, as the tissue continues to respond. How long the benefit lasts depends on what's being treated and how well the area is cared for afterward; for mild-to-moderate arthritis, relief can last many months, though PRP is not a permanent cure and does not regrow cartilage.
Why PRP takes time to work
PRP concentrates the platelets and growth factors from about four tablespoons of your own blood, and Dr. Hric places them precisely in the injured area — ultrasound-guided when that improves accuracy. The point is to prompt your body's own repair, and healing simply takes time. That's the opposite of a cortisone shot, which can quiet pain within days but masks the problem rather than fixing it.
Because the effect is gradual, judging PRP after only a week or two isn't fair to the treatment. It's also honest to say it doesn't help everyone: some injuries respond well, others don't, and a few people may need a second session before deciding whether it's working.
How Dr. Hric sets honest expectations
Dr. Hric performs every treatment personally, and part of that is giving you a straight timeline up front — how long your particular injury is likely to take, and how many visits, if any, it may need. Consistent with our Conservative First approach, if PRP isn't the right tool, or if prolotherapy or focal sound wave therapy would fit better, he'll tell you plainly rather than oversell.
The practical next step is a consultation. Dr. Hric can examine the area, review your history, and give you a realistic sense of whether PRP is worth trying for you and what to expect week by week.
Reviewed by Dr. Jerry Hric, Great Physician Regenerative Medicine · Updated July 15, 2026. Educational information, not a substitute for an in-person evaluation.