You’ve completed your procedure at the Regenerative Orthopedic Institute. The hard part is over, and the feeling of taking a proactive step toward healing is powerful. But the work isn’t finished. The period after your treatment is not about passive waiting; it’s an active partnership with your body.
What you do in the hours, days, and weeks that follow is just as important as the injection itself. Your actions create the right environment for those new cells to do their job. Follow this framework for post-treatment regenerative therapy care to get the most from your body’s investment.
The First 48 Hours: Protect and Rest
The primary goal right now is simple: let the cells settle in. They need a calm, stable environment to begin the complex process of signaling and repair. Expect some soreness at both the injection and harvest sites. This is completely normal.
- Listen to your body. Use mild pain as a signal to rest, not push through.
- Keep it light. Limit your activity to gentle walking around the house. Avoid prolonged sitting or standing.
- Manage discomfort wisely. Use ice packs for 20 minutes at a time to manage swelling. For pain, use acetaminophen (Tylenol). Do not take NSAIDs like Ibuprofen, Advil, or Aleve, as they can disrupt the healing process.
- Follow bandage instructions. Keep the area clean and dry, removing bandages only as instructed by our team.
Weeks 1-4: Gentle Movement and Patience
As you move past the first few days, the motto for your regenerative therapy recovery is: “If it hurts, don’t do it.” The stem cells and platelets are building a delicate scaffold for new tissue. Pushing too hard, too soon, can tear down their work.
Gradual reintroduction to activity is essential during this phase. We strongly recommend starting physical therapy, as guided by Dr. Grana, to relearn proper movement patterns without stressing the joint. Focus on gentle range-of-motion exercises. Low-impact activities like walking or swimming are excellent. Avoid all high-impact stress—no running, jumping, or heavy lifting.
Month 2 and Beyond: Building Strength and Seeing Results
Your patience starts to pay off here. As the new cellular foundation becomes stronger, you can gradually increase activity under the guidance of your physical therapist. Most people begin to feel noticeable improvement around the six-week mark, with more significant changes happening between three and four months.
Remember that healing is not always a straight line. Some days will feel better than others. This is a normal part of the process. Support your recovery with good nutrition and hydration, which provide the raw materials your body needs to repair tissue. This entire experience is fundamentally different from the aggressive rehabilitation required after surgery, focusing instead on steady, progressive healing.
Your Partner in Long-Term Success
Your post-treatment care is a core part of our “Don’t Operate… Regenerate” philosophy. Following these steps gives your body the best possible chance for a successful outcome.
Every person’s healing journey is unique. If you have questions about your recovery or are ready to explore your options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Grana by calling (813) 461-5113 today.