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Prolotherapy – short for Proliferation Therapy – stimulates proliferation, or growth, of fibroblasts and increases collagen production. As a form of regenerative medicine, it has been shown to reduce pain and heal joint and soft tissue injuries.
Preparation for Prolotherapy typically involves discussing any medications you’re taking, allergies, and medical history with your healthcare provider. You may also be advised to avoid blood-thinning medications before the procedure.
Prolotherapy is performed to stimulate the body’s natural healing response, promoting tissue regeneration and reducing pain associated with joint and soft tissue injuries such as ligament or tendon sprains, osteoarthritis, or chronic pain conditions.
The most commonly used prolotherapy is dextrose, or sugar. Dextrose is a large molecule, and as such it drives water across membranes and irritates tissues. This irritation triggers the body’s healing response to repair the area.
Ankle Sprains, Knee arthritis, whiplash injuries, wrist sprains, and shoulder injuries (including dislocations) are some of the most commonly treated areas. Nearly all injections are performed with ultrasound guidance.
This causes initial irritation and increased pain (usually mild) for 2-4 days which is usually manageable with ice and acetaminophen. Then, over the following 4-6 weeks, the strength and tissue organization within the treated structure improves. Typically 2-3 injections are required, and these are spaced 2-4 weeks apart to maintain the healing momentum. We use 12.5%-25% dextrose depending on the target and treatment goal.
Potential risks of Prolotherapy include temporarily increased pain or stiffness at the injection site, bruising, bleeding, infection, nerve damage, or allergic reactions to the injection solution. These risks are typically minimal but should be discussed with your healthcare provider beforehand.
Related procedures to Prolotherapy include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, stem cell therapy, corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, and other regenerative medicine techniques aimed at promoting tissue repair and pain relief for musculoskeletal conditions. Each approach may have its unique benefits and considerations.