Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy, short for “proliferation therapy”, involves the injection of an irritant solution into an area where connective tissue has been weakened or damaged through injury or strain. It is thought that initiating the inflammatory process causes proliferation of fibroblasts (repair cell), which deposit new additional fibers to repair an injury. Prolotherapy focuses on repair of ligaments (fibrous tissue that connects bone to other bones), and tendons (fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bone). Tendon and ligament repair provides structural stability to the joints these structures support such as the knee or shoulder. While commonly used for pain and inflammation, steroid injections prevent the body’s normal healing process and may actually weaken joints and mask symptoms of injury.

Many solutions are used for prolotherapy, but we focus on using dextrose (a sugar), lidocaine (a commonly used local anesthetic) and sterile water. These seemingly benign substances, once injected onto tendons and ligaments, promote healing, which is initiated by the body. Once stabilized, joints no longer send pain signals to the brain.

Prolotherapy is commonly used for:

• Unresolved pain despite use of Osteopathic Manipulation Therapy
• Joint instability of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle and knee
• Non-surgical option for joint and back pain
• Osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder and other joints