What is Prolotherapy?
Proliferation Injection Therapy or Prolotherapy injection is the injection procedure used to stimulate natural healing. Prolotherapy injections (a mixture of dextrose, saline, and anesthetic) are placed into the targeted damaged tissue areas and promote a “proliferative” response by encouraging the body’s immune system to flood into the area and trigger the natural healing cascade. Prolotherapy has been practiced in the United States safely for over 70 years.
How does Prolotherapy work?
Prolotherapy stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms to lay down new tissue in the weakened tissue/structure. This is created by direct stimulation with a needle and the concentrated dextrose solution, causing a mild localized healing inflammatory response at the injection site. The increased inflammation signals the body’s inflammatory-fighting centers to send an increased volume of healing cells, platelets, and specialized proteins, to the area. These cells stimulate repair and growth. Additional treatments to repeat this process allow a gradual build-up of tissue to restore the original strength of the site.
What is in the solution that’s injected?
We use a solution that consists of local anesthetic (ropivacaine), concentrated dextrose, and preservative-free saline.
Is Prolotherapy Treatment painful?
The pain related to the treatment can vary depending on the structure or joint being treated and the patient’s tolerance, but it is typically tolerable. The treatment may temporarily increase pain and swelling/stiffness as the natural healing mechanisms are initiated. The discomfort can typically last 2-3 days on average. Tylenol can be used for discomfort as needed. Patients should avoid anti-inflammatory medications early on as they may suppress the desired inflammatory healing response.
How often are Prolotherapy Injections needed?
Treatment intervals may vary depending on the specific problem and severity of the problem being treated. The typical intervals between treatments tend to be 4 weeks, for a total of 3-6 treatments depending on individual response.
What conditions may benefit from Prolotherapy Treatments?
• Ligament laxity of the spine, sacroiliac joint, or peripheral joints
• Tendinopathy
• Osteoarthritic joints
• Nerve irritation
Overall, prolotherapy injections can be a beneficial treatment option for individuals with musculoskeletal injuries or chronic pain, providing pain relief, improved function, and a non-surgical treatment option.