Regenerative Medicine
Prolotherapy
Non-Surgical Ligament, Tendon Reconstruction and Regenerative Joint treatment
Prolotherapy (Also known as Proliferation Therapy) is a Non-Surgical Ligament and Tendon Reconstruction and Regenerative Joint treatment performed through injections. It is a recognized orthopedic procedure that stimulates the body’s healing processes to strengthen and repair joints and connective tissue that have had trauma, injury and chronic pain. With a precise injection of a specific solution directly to the site of the torn or stretched ligament or tendon, Prolotherapy creates a mild inflammation which stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms to generate new tissue to the weakened area.
When ligaments or tendons (connective tissue) are stretched or torn, the joint they are holding destabilizes and can become extremely painful. Because of its unique ability to directly address the cause of the instability, Prolotherapy can repair and strengthen the weakened sites, which stimulates the production of new collagen tissue resulting in permanent stabilization of the joint. Once the joint is stabilized, pain typically resolves.
Traditional surgical approaches have more risk and may fail to stabilize the joint and relieve pain. Anti-inflammatory or other pain relievers provide only temporary relief. Today the term “prolotherapy” is used for joint, ligament and tendon injections, while “sclerotherapy” is used for the treatment of varicose veins, spider veins, hemorrhoids and other vascular abnormalities.
How does Prolotherapy work?
Prolotherapy works by stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms to produce new tissue in the weakened area. This is done by a very directed injection to the injury site, “tricking” the body to repair again. The mild inflammation it triggers from the injection encourages growth of new, normal ligament or tendon fibers, resulting in a tightening of the weakened area.
What areas of the body can be treated?
How often do I need these treatments?
Treatment intervals vary depending on the specific problem, severity of the area being treated, and the protocol of the physician. Typical intervals between treatments are every two to six weeks, however depending on the condition and the overall health of the individual patient, this can vary and may be more frequent or take longer to treat.
What is in the Prolotherapy solution?
Prolotherapy injections contain natural substances that stimulate the healing response, as well as local anesthetic agents to help minimize the discomfort the injection might cause.
Traditionally this includes ingredients such as dextrose, saline, and procaine or lidocaine. Each treating physician customizes the selection of the appropriate formula according to the patient’s unique needs.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
The treatment works to strengthen the damaged tissue over the next 2-3 weeks, allowing you to continue your daily activities with little downtime and minimal discomfort. Regenerative injections, the latest in pain management solutions, involves 3-6 rounds of injections to the area of chronic pain or affected site. Prolotherapy injections consist of a solution of dextrose, lidocaine, and saline to stimulate a localized inflammatory healing response into the area of ligament injury.
It is normal to experience some pain and swelling in the injection area after RIT or stem cells have been introduced. This discomfort can last between 48 hours and up to two weeks. In some rare cases, a recurrence of pain has occurred after 2 weeks. The pain and swelling are normal and are usually not of concern. We advise that you call us right away if you are unsure or do have concerns. It is essential that you do NOT take any anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen or Advil for at least a week after this therapy.
• No aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products for 7-10 days prior to the procedure.
• No fish oil/omega oils for ten days prior to procedure.
• No swimming or hot tub/bath 48-72 hours post treatment.
• No exercising or strenuous activity for the first 24 hours post-treatment.