Prolotherapy is a method of regenerative injection treatment that stimulates healing. This therapy has been in practice for decades in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and osteoarthritis. It could be thought of as "tricking" the body to repair old injuries by activating a new healing cascade to reform pain-free tissue. Connective tissue such as cartilage, ligaments and tendons generally heal poorly after injury due to their low blood supply. This can leave the patient with chronic pain, or joint instability due to incomplete healing.
Prolotherapy could treat what conditions?
What to expect?
Dextrose and anesthetic is injected at the site of damaged joints and where ligaments/tendons attach to bone to stimulate collagen and connective tissue repair. Some pain and soreness is expected as we are treating injured tissue, but the anesthetic will make the process more comfortable. Most patients require 3-6 treatments, and the treatments are usually administered every 2-6 weeks. This treatment offers permanent results and is an excellent alternative to surgery for ligament repair or joint replacement. Typically you can expect several days of discomfort following treatment and should minimize activity during this time.
Who is it indicated for?
You are likely to be helped from prolotherapy treatments if you experience any pain, weakness, or soreness from muscles, tendons, ligaments, or joints during activity and movement. While Cortisone injections can reduce pain quickly, it does not heal injuries and actually speeds up degeneration.
*Prolotherapy may not be for you if:
Prolotherapy could treat what conditions?
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Sports injuries
- Chronic tendonitis
- Sciatica
- Degenerated or herniated discs
- Whiplash
- Partially torn tendons, ligaments, cartilage
- TMJ
What to expect?
Dextrose and anesthetic is injected at the site of damaged joints and where ligaments/tendons attach to bone to stimulate collagen and connective tissue repair. Some pain and soreness is expected as we are treating injured tissue, but the anesthetic will make the process more comfortable. Most patients require 3-6 treatments, and the treatments are usually administered every 2-6 weeks. This treatment offers permanent results and is an excellent alternative to surgery for ligament repair or joint replacement. Typically you can expect several days of discomfort following treatment and should minimize activity during this time.
Who is it indicated for?
You are likely to be helped from prolotherapy treatments if you experience any pain, weakness, or soreness from muscles, tendons, ligaments, or joints during activity and movement. While Cortisone injections can reduce pain quickly, it does not heal injuries and actually speeds up degeneration.
*Prolotherapy may not be for you if:
- you have allergies to local anesthetic used (Procaine) or corn (which forms the basis of the dextrose solution)
- if you suffer from an inflammatory condition (i.e.- rheumatoid arthritis)
- if you are on medication that shuts down your immune response