What is Prolotherapy

Q: What is Prolotherapy?

A: Prolotherapy also known as regenerative injection therapy,

sclerotherapy, (proliferative therapy), ligament reconstruction therapy, and fibro-osseous injection

therapy. It is a recognized orthopedic procedure that stimulates the body's nature healing processes

to strengthen joints weakened by traumatic or over-use injury. When the joint’s ligaments or

tendon attachments are stretched, torn, or fragmented, they become hypermobile and painful.

Traditional approaches with surgery and anti-inflammatory drugs often fail to stabilize the joint and

relieve this pain permanently. Prolotherapy, with its unique ability to directly address the cause of

the instability, can repair the weakened sites and produce new fibrous tissues, resulting in

permanent stabilization of the joint.

Q: How does Prolotherapy work?

A: With a precise injection of a mild irritant solution directly on

the site of the torn or stretched ligament or tendon, Prolotherapy creates a mild, controlled injury

that stimulates the body's natural healing mechanisms to lay down new tissue on the weakened

area. The mild inflammatory response that is created by the injection encourages growth of new

ligament or tendon fibers, resulting in a tightening of the weakened structure. Additional treatments

repeat this process, allowing a gradual buildup of tissue to restore the original strength to the area.

Q: What is in the solution that is injected?

A: The prolotherapy injections contain anesthetic

agents (to numb the region) and natural substances which stimulate the healing response. The

primary agent is glucose, but each treating physician tailors the selection of substances according

to the patients' needs.

Q: Is the Prolotherapy treatment painful?

A: Any pain involving an injection will vary according to

the structure to be treated, the choice of solution, and the skill of the physician administering the

injection. The treatment may result in mild swelling and stiffness. The mild discomfort passes fairly

rapidly and can be reduced with pain relievers such as Tylenol. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as

aspirin and ibuprofen, should not be used for pain relief because their action suppresses the desired inflammatory process produced by the injection.

Q: Can Prolotherapy help everyone?

A: Each patient must be evaluated thoroughly with patient

history; physical exam, imaging study, and full laboratory work up before treatment will be

administered. If you already have labs and studies completed, please bring them with you to the

visit so they will not have to be repeated. With this information, your physician can evaluate your

potential success with this therapy. Success depends on factors which include the history of

damage to the patient, the patient's overall health and ability to heal, and any underlying nutritional deficiencies that would impede the healing process.