Prolotherapy Injection – Aftercare Advice

After your injection

Take things relatively easy for the remainder of today.

Gentle walking is usually encouraged, but avoid strenuous exercise, running or high-impact activity involving the treated area immediately after treatment.

Over the following days, gradually return to activity according to comfort and the rehabilitation advice provided by your podiatrist.

What is normal afterwards?

It is common for the treated area to temporarily feel:

• sore or aching
• tender
• mildly swollen
• bruised; or
• more sensitive than usual.

You may temporarily notice an increase in your usual symptoms following treatment. This generally settles as the area recovers from the injection.

Pain relief and medication

If pain relief is required, paracetamol can usually be taken if it is normally safe for you.

Your podiatrist may advise you about the use of anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen or diclofenac around the time of treatment.

Do not stop any medication that has been prescribed for you without discussing this with the appropriate healthcare professional.

Dressing

If a small dressing has been applied, keep the area clean and dry for approximately 24 hours, after which it can normally be removed.

Rehabilitation

Prolotherapy is usually used as part of a wider treatment plan rather than as a replacement for rehabilitation.

Continue any exercises or progressive loading programme as advised. Your podiatrist may temporarily modify your exercise intensity following the injection before gradually progressing it again.

When should I expect improvement?

Prolotherapy is not intended to provide immediate pain relief.

Where treatment is beneficial, improvement may develop gradually over the following weeks.

Some conditions may require more than one treatment. Your response should be reviewed before deciding whether further injections are appropriate.

When should I contact the clinic?

Please contact us if you develop unexpectedly severe or increasing pain, significant swelling, persistent numbness or weakness, increasing redness or warmth, discharge from the injection site, or anything else that concerns you.

Infection following an injection is uncommon but requires prompt assessment.

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop severe or worsening pain with marked redness, heat or swelling, particularly if you also feel unwell or develop a fever.

Seek emergency medical assistance if you develop difficulty breathing or significant swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

The Podiatry Clinic