What is Prolotherapy?
As the prevalence of musculoskeletal and chronic pain conditions continues to rise, the interest in nonsurgical solutions has grown significantly.
One such nonsurgical solution is prolotherapy, a minimally-invasive orthopaedic procedure that stimulates the body's natural healing process.
Also known as regenerative injection therapy, sclerotherapy, and proliferative therapy, prolotherapy induces increased blood flow to the damaged area, which can help regenerate new tissue and stimulate cell growth and differentiation. This regeneration of new tissues is used to repair weakened tissues (ligament, tendon, cartilage, muscle) and decrease pain.
Who Can Benefit?
Prolotherapy can help with a range of conditions, such as:
- Ligament sprains (wrist, elbow, ankle, AC joint, knee MCL/LCL, lumbar or cervical facet)
- Tendinosis (supraspinatus, subscapularis, achilles, hamstring, patellar, quad, gluteus, tibialis posterior)
- Minor tendon tears
- Tennis elbow
Prolotherapy can benefit various types of tissues, including ligaments, joints, tendons, joint capsules, and cartilage. And as a nonsurgical treatment, prolotherapy offers lower risk and a shorter recovery time than surgery.
How Does It Work?
Prolotherapy, also known as regenerative injection therapy, involves injecting a solution consisting of 15-25% dextrose, along with a local anesthetic and saline, into specific areas of the body.
This solution acts as an irritant, triggering a controlled inflammatory response in the targeted area. The resulting inflammation promotes tissue regeneration and healing by temporarily disrupting pain pathways.
Prolotherapy offers several benefits, including:
- Regenerative properties
- Pain relief
- Diagnostic capabilities
- Support for joint health
Treatment Process
Dr. Adam Godkin, ND, has taken the necessary post graduate training to be offering prolotherapy at our First Avenue location.
Patients typically undergo 2-6 prolotherapy sessions, spaced 2-4 weeks apart.
Maintenance injections may be recommended every 2-3 months to sustain the benefits if needed.
Post-Injection Care
After receiving prolotherapy, patients are advised to:
- Use Tylenol to decrease pain
- Apply ice to the area for additional relief
- Follow personalized post-injection care instructions provided by your naturopathic doctor
Possible Side Effects & Considerations
Side effects of prolotherapy injections may include, temporary soreness, stiffness, occasional bruising around the injection site, flushing or warmth (depending on the agent used), and localized pressure at the injection site. Symptoms usually resolve after 24-48 hours.
Treatment Expectations
The success rate of prolotherapy varies depending on factors such as disease, patient compliance, and technique. Research suggests a success rate ranging from 50-80% in reducing pain and improving function.
Get Started
Try prolotherapy for a holistic solution to tissue regeneration and pain relief without the complications of surgery.