Prolotherapy

What is prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a nonsurgical regenerative injection technique that introduces small amounts of an irritant solution to the site of the painful and degenerated tendon, joints, ligaments, and in adjacent joint spaces during several treatment sessions to promote the growth of normal cells and tissues.

Irritant solutions contain a sugar solution, but may also contain combinations of minerals and homeopathics.

Prolotherapy is an in-office injection treatment series that research has shown to be an effective alternative to surgical and non-effective conservative care treatments.

What can prolotherapy treat?

• Joint instability
• Arthritis of the knee, shoulder and other joints
• Degenerative joint disease
• Tendonitis
• Sports injuries
• Sprains & ligament injuries
• Wrist and Hand pain
• Low back pain & sciatica

How does prolotherapy work?

Prolotherapy works by stimulating the body’s natural healing system which is inflammation. The injection of the mild irritant solution causes an inflammatory response which stimulates the healing process. The growth of new ligament and tendon tissue is then stimulated. The ligament and tendon tissue produced after prolotherapy appear much the same as normal tissues, except it is thicker and stronger, documented in research.

How is prolotherapy different from steroid injections?

• Steroid therapies when injected into the joint can successfully mask pain, but not treat what is causing the pain. Patients who have had multiple steroid injections many times find that they are no longer effective for pain.
• Steroid injection therapy has been shown to accelerate knee and hip arthritis.

What can I expect at a prolotherapy session?

The treatment area will be numbed before injecting a solution directly into the painful areas under the guidance of an ultrasound image. This image allows us to visualize the structures and exact location of your pain to ensure that the injection is placed in the correct areas. You should begin to experience relief from your pain within 24-48 hours after your appointment, and most patients may need repeat injections over several weeks for maximum anti-inflammatory and healing benefits.

What are the side effects of Prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy injections have minimal side effects including swelling, bruising, and a slim chance of infection. Your provider will use techniques to minimize all these risks and can provide recommendations to reduce discomfort.