What should I expect in the days after my treatment?

After joint injections, soreness is usually most noticeable in the first 24 hours, and some inflammation at the injection sites for 3 to 7 days is normal, although not every patient experiences it. After spine treatments, soreness can last longer, sometimes a few weeks, improving gradually. After an IV infusion, some patients feel tired or have a mild, temporary fever. Rest on the day of your treatment and the following day, and plan 3 to 5 days of lighter activity at home. Improvement, when it comes, is gradual over weeks to months. Contact us if you notice severe or unusual pain, fever or other warning signs.

Knowing what is normal after your treatment helps you recover with peace of mind. This guide walks you through the first days and weeks after your application, explains why some soreness is expected, describes how to manage it and lists the signs that mean you should contact us.

Why some soreness is expected

Regenerative treatments work with your body's healing response. After the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the treated area goes through a controlled inflammatory response. This response is part of how the treatment works, and it is why:

• Soreness, pressure or swelling in the first days is common.
• We ask you not to take anti-inflammatory medication after the treatment.
• We ask you not to apply ice or heat in the first two days.

Day by day after a joint treatment

Treatment day

• You rest in the recovery area, and the team checks how you feel and controls any discomfort.
• The treated joint may feel full, tight or sore.
• You spend the night at our facilities under nursing and medical monitoring. The team can give you pain medication, including through your IV line, if needed.

Day 1 (discharge day)

• Soreness is usually most noticeable during the first 24 hours.
• You have a final check, receive your aftercare instructions and travel home or to your hotel.
• Rest completely for the rest of the day. Do not exercise.

Days 2 to 7

• Soreness and swelling usually decrease gradually.
• Some inflammation at the injection sites for 3 to 7 days is normal.
• From the third day, you may apply heat or ice for 10 minutes and then rest for 2 to 3 hours before applying again.
• Light daily activities are fine as tolerated. Plan 3 to 5 days of lighter activity at home.

Weeks 2 to 4

• Most patients feel the post-injection soreness has settled.
• After 10 days, you can walk for up to 30 minutes on flat ground.
• From the second week, gentle stretching and functional exercises without weight can begin, ideally guided by a physical therapist.

After a spine treatment

Spine procedures are performed with fluoroscopy guidance, often with sedation. Afterwards:

• Back soreness is common and can last longer than after a joint injection, sometimes a few weeks.
• Some patients feel temporary stiffness or a change in their usual pain pattern while the area settles.
• The return to activity is usually more gradual.

After an IV infusion

• Most patients feel well and return to light activities quickly.
• Some feel tired for a day or two.
• A mild, temporary fever can occur. Large safety reviews of MSCs given into the bloodstream, published in EClinicalMedicine in 2020 and in Stem Cells Translational Medicine in 2026, report transient fever as the most frequently associated event.
• There may be mild discomfort or a small bruise at the IV site.

After skin, scalp or erectile treatments

• After skin or scalp applications, some redness, small red spots and soreness are common for a few hours.
• After erectile dysfunction treatments, mild tenderness or small bruises at the injection points can occur for a few days.

Managing discomfort

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen, Tylenol) for pain. Tramadol is also an option if it is appropriate for you; ask the team first if you take antidepressants or MAO inhibitors.
• No anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac or aspirin for pain, unless the doctor indicates otherwise.
• No ice or heat on the day of treatment or the following day; from the third day, 10 minutes, then rest for 2 to 3 hours.
• Rest and elevation of the treated limb can help with swelling.
• Drink plenty of water.

What else to avoid in the first weeks

• Alcohol for at least 2 weeks.
• Cannabis and smoking.
• Omega 3, ginger and turmeric, unless the doctor approves them.
• Heavy loads, running and high-impact sports involving the treated area for at least one month.
• Steroid injections in or near the treated area, unless the doctor approves them.

Continue the pre-treatment diet for at least 4 weeks for better results.

When will I notice improvement?

Regenerative treatments do not work like a painkiller. The repair process takes time, and improvement, when it comes, is usually gradual:

• Joints: some patients notice changes within days to weeks, while others notice them over one to three months or longer.
• Spine: improvement is often more gradual, after the initial soreness settles.
• Systemic and neurological goals: changes are evaluated over weeks to months.

A 2024 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in the Journal of Orthopaedic Translation reported improvements in pain and function with MSC injections for knee osteoarthritis in many of the included trials, evaluated over months. Results vary between patients, depending on the condition, its stage, age, weight and activity level.

Your follow-up

• Follow-up calls: your first follow-up call with the doctor is usually around one month after the application.
• Ongoing contact: our plans include a 12-month follow-up program to review your progress, answer questions and recommend next steps, such as physical therapy or PRP, if needed.
• Keep notes: write down your pain level, mobility and activities each week. It helps you and the doctor see your progress clearly.

A simple weekly log

Many patients find it useful to keep a short weekly log during the first months. You can share it with the doctor during your follow-up calls:

Comparing these notes over time shows changes that are easy to miss from day to day, and it gives the doctor concrete information to guide your next steps.

When to contact us

Contact the team or seek medical care if you notice:

• High fever, or fever that lasts more than two days.
• Increasing redness, heat or swelling at an injection site, or discharge from it.
• Pain that gets worse after the first few days instead of improving.
• New weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, or problems with bladder or bowel control, especially after a spine procedure.
• Severe headache after a spine procedure.
• Pain, swelling or redness in a calf, or sudden shortness of breath or chest pain, which require emergency care.

Common questions

My knee is more swollen the day after than right after the procedure. Is that normal? Yes. Swelling and soreness often peak in the first 24 hours and then improve gradually.

I do not feel any improvement after two weeks. Did the treatment fail? Not necessarily. Improvement is gradual and is evaluated over months. Your follow-up calls help track your progress.

Can I go back to work? Many patients return to desk work after a few days of rest. Physical work may need more time; ask the doctor.

Can I shower? Yes, following your discharge instructions about the injection sites. Keep the bandages clean and dry as indicated.

Bottom line

In the days after your treatment, soreness, pressure or swelling in the treated area are common, most noticeable in the first 24 hours after joint injections and sometimes longer after spine treatments, while IV infusions may cause mild tiredness or a temporary fever. Rest for two days, use paracetamol for pain, avoid anti-inflammatories, ice and heat at first, and contact us if you notice warning signs. A medical evaluation can help determine whether this type of regenerative treatment is appropriate for your condition, goals and medical history.