Prolotherapy is an orthopedic treatment that triggers the body’s own healing process for weakened joints, tendons, or ligaments. An injection of different solutions (may vary but include glucose, procaine, testosterone, and/or growth hormone) directly into the affected joint, tendon, or ligament stimulates the growth of new ligament or tendon fibers.
Prolotherapy
About Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy does nothing more than stimulating the body’s own natural healing. A variation of this treatment dates back to 500 B.C. when Roman soldiers’ dislocated shoulders were treated using a form of prolotherapy.
Commonly Asked Questions About Prolotherapy:
Every one to three weeks, depending on the patient’s needs, a trained physician gives a needle injection, sometimes under ultrasound guidance to the precise area being treated. The injection causes mild inflammation in the affected area, triggering the gradual growth of strengthening tissues.
Prolotherapy is effective at providing long-lasting relief for a wide range of painful joint disorders, including arthritis, whiplash, sprains, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, tennis elbow, and chronic tendon injuries.
A local anesthetic is administered, along with the injection to minimize pain, but some pain may still be felt from the needle and the solution. The actual injection may be followed by a little swelling and some stiffness, but these symptoms don’t last long.
What should I do following the treatment?
Although pain relievers like Tylenol may be taken following the treatment, patients should avoid any anti-inflammatory drugs (like Aspirin or Ibuprofen) as these will counteract the desired inflammation created by the injection. Patients are also asked to avoid anti-inflammatory medications, such as Advil or Ibuprofen, for 1-2 weeks before the procedure. Patients may receive additional injections in the following weeks until healing is complete.