Prolotherapy (sometimes referred to as proliferative or regenerative therapy) involves the injection of specialized solutions into areas of chronically injured tissues – usually at the point where tendons and ligaments attach to bone.
Torn or stretched ligaments and tendons can cause joint instability and chronic pain. Prolotherapy injections help to heal the damaged tendons and ligaments to improve joint stability and decrease pain.
Who would benefit from prolotherapy?
Those that suffer from chronic pain associated with tendon, ligament, joint and/or muscle damage may benefit from prolotherapy injections. Typically less invasive therapies should be tried first. Your physiotherapist, massage therapist or chiropractor may suggest prolotherapy as an option if your injury has not responded well to less invasive manual and physical therapies.
What to expect:
The injection itself usually takes a few minutes, but first the injured area is thoroughly assessed. The use of pain medication will be discussed as well as home exercises and home treatments to aid in the rehabilitation of the affected areas.
A detailed history, physical exam as well as imaging and blood test results (if needed) will all help determine the best course of action.
Subsequent injections may be done at 3-6 week intervals depending on the type and severity of the injury. Benefit is usually seen with 1-2 injections.
Dr. Jaime de Melo is trained and certified in providing prolotherapy treatments.
Free 15 minute consultations are available should you have questions about prolotherapy or other health related concerns. Please call Acacia Health at 250-475-1522 for an appointment.
Resources:
- The American Osteopathic Association of Prolotherapy and Regenerative Medicine http://prolotherapycollege.org/what-is-prolotherapy/
- http://www.prolotherapy.com/
- Outcomes of prolotherapy for intra-tendinous Achilles tears. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2017 Jan-Mar; 7(1): 78–87. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5505599/
- Dextrose Prolotherapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Annals of Family Med 2013 May; 11(3): 229–237. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659139/
