Regenerative treatments — PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate), MFAT (micro-fragmented fat) and DCGI Approved allogeneic stem cell therapy — work by triggering your body's own healing response. With PRP, BMAC and MFAT, the "medicine" is made from your own blood, bone marrow or fat.

That means the quality of what we inject depends on your health in the weeks before. Certain painkillers can switch off the healing signal, dehydration makes the blood draw harder, and smoking or heavy drinking weakens the cells we rely on. A few simple steps give your treatment the best possible chance of working.

Golden rule: never stop a prescribed medicine without speaking to your doctor first.

Discuss with your doctor first — do NOT stop on your own

• Aspirin, clopidogrel and other blood thinners — often vital for heart, stent or stroke protection. Your doctor and cardiologist decide together.
• Steroid tablets (e.g. prednisolone) — stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Also tell us if you've had a steroid injection in the joint recently.

💡 Buying something over the counter? Ask the pharmacist to confirm it contains no anti-inflammatory ingredient. And always tell us about any drug allergies.

Start these habits at least 1–2 weeks before your procedure:

• Water: 2–3 litres a day. Well-hydrated veins make the blood draw quick and easy.
• Tea/coffee: limit to 2 cups a day.
• Protein: eggs, fish, chicken, dal, rajma, chana, paneer, curd — the building blocks for repair.
• Colourful fruits & vegetables: for vitamins and antioxidants.
• Whole grains: brown rice, oats, millets (jowar, ragi), whole-wheat roti.

• Fried food, processed meats, sweets, bakery items and soft drinks
• Red meat more than once a week

• Alcohol: avoid for at least 1 week before and 1 week after the injection. Alcohol dehydrates you and can impair platelet function.
• Smoking / tobacco / gutka: stop for 4–6 weeks around the procedure if you can. Nicotine narrows blood vessels and slows healing — it is one of the most common reasons regenerative treatments underperform.

This is also a great moment to quit for good — your joints (and heart) will thank you.

Please tell us beforehand if any of these apply. Regenerative injections are not advised or must be postponed with:

• Active cancer or ongoing cancer treatment
• Fever or active infection anywhere in the body, or a skin infection near the joint
• Severe anaemia, low platelet count or a platelet / bleeding disorder
• Pregnancy

Also avoid donating blood in the month before your procedure, so your blood counts are at their best.

• Eat a normal breakfast and drink 2 glasses of water — don't come fasting. It prevents dizziness during the blood draw.
• Wear loose clothes — shorts or loose trousers for a knee, a sleeveless/loose top for a shoulder, supportive shoes for an ankle.
• Bring your X-ray/MRI reports, a list of current medicines and any recent blood test reports.
• Bring a companion. After simple PRP most people can drive if pain-free. After BMAC or MFAT (cells taken from the hip bone or belly fat), please have someone drive you home.
• Keep the rest of the day free to relax.

Mild pain, stiffness and swelling for 2–3 days is normal — it's the healing response starting. Use paracetamol if needed, keep the joint relatively rested for 48 hours, and continue avoiding NSAIDs for about 2 weeks. Your physiotherapy plan will be given at the clinic.

"The injection is only half the treatment — the other half is you. Patients who stop their painkillers on time, stay hydrated, eat well and stay off cigarettes consistently get better results from PRP and stem cell therapy. If you're unsure about any medicine, just WhatsApp us a photo of the strip before you stop anything."

— Dr. Sumit Dubewar · DABRM (USA) · Secunderabad