Prolotherapy is a Regenerative Injection Therapy (RIT) Used to Stimulate Healing of Tendons, Ligaments and Joints.

The earliest forms of prolo, as oft referred to, was used by ancient Egyptians to treat lame animals by branding or hot iron cautery.  The first use in humans can be dated back to 450BC, by Hippocrates, who used a hot poker to treat a dislocated shoulder.  Between the 1830’s-1920’s, prolo, was mainly used to treat hernias.  Modern day prolo, began in the 1930’s and 1940’s, led by the innovations of Earl Gedney, D.O.  Researchers, as far back as the 1930’s showed that collagen was being regenerated at the injection site and that there were specific and reproducible cellular events that accounted for the positive outcomes from injection therapy.  Today, prolotherapy is practiced the same as always – to kickstart the inflammatory healing cascade by using stimulating solutions (dextrose) via injection placement at disrupted sites about tendons and ligaments.  

 

Incomplete healing of Joints Lead to Chronic Weakness and Pain

 

Inflammation over the short-term is a healthy and normal response by your body to heal the body.  In fact, it is essential.  Unfortunately, due to the limited blood supply to tendons and ligaments they are very slow to heal, if at all.  Over time, these issues become chronic, leading to joint dysfunction.

Prolotherapy Stimulates Your Own Healing Cascade

Prolotherapy creates a temporary and localized inflammatory reaction by triggering your body’s own healing mechanisms for musculoskeletal and joint pain.  It is an injection technique that uses dextrose, ranging from 12.5%-25%, as the proliferant of choice.  The solution is placed at the site of damage to the tendon or ligament attaching to bone.  The injection initiates the body’s own wound healing response.  As the inflammation occurs, blood and nutrient flow increases at the affected area.  This signals cells to strengthen and reinforce ligaments and tendons.   A marked pain reduction, increased joint stability, ligament and joint capsule strengthening occurs with this therapy, where patients can enjoy long-lasting results.  As pain levels decrease the quality of life, moods, sleep and energy increases.  This therapy can fully resolve acute and chronic pain.  

If you are a slow healer, the recovery will be slower.  Dr. Sraw prescribes individually specific prolotherapy protocols, which vary depending on individual needs,  hormone status, immune status and severity of injury.   Optimal nutrition, supplementation, stress management, adequate sleep are all factors that influence healing, as well.  Dr Sraw will guide you through the process to optimize your response to prolotherapy.    

 

What are some common diagnoses treated with Prolotherapy?

SHOULDER:  Rotator cuff tendinitis or tear, rotator cuff impingement syndrome or bursitis, bicipital tendinitis, labrum tear, arthritis, instability
ELBOW/WRIST/HAND:  Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, DeQuervaine’s Tenosynovitis, trigger finger, arthritis, other wrist or finger tendonitis
HIP:  Iliotibial band tendinitis (ITB Syndrome), psoas tendinitis and bursitis, greater trochanteric bursitis, labrum tears, arthritis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction
KNEE:  Patellar tendinitis, partially torn or strained major ligaments of knee (ACL/LCL/MCL), meniscus tears, chondromalacia, arthritis, instability
ANKLE:  Achilles tendinitis, peroneal tendinitis, ankle sprain, instability ,other foot or ankle tendinitis
SPINE: Whiplash injury, back pain, rib problems, ligament sprain, instability, arthritis

 

Cartilage, Tendon and Ligament Injury (partial tears), Sports Injuries, Tendonitis, Arthritis, Degenerative or Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Sciatica, Dislocations, Tempromandibular Joint Syndrom (TMJ), Whiplash, Injury, Neck Pain, Back Pain, Elbow Pain, Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Syndrome, Knee Pain, Meniscus Tear, Hyper-mobile (loose) Joints, Yoga Over Stretching Injuries, Post Injury / Trauma Pain, Pain or Injury that has been unresponsive to other therapy or surgery

 

Is Prolotherapy curative or just a band-aide?

The results of prolotherapy are much like the results with PRP Therapy. Unlike Cortisone shots, Prolotherapy works to actually heal the injured region.

 

How Often is Prolotherapy Done?

Typically, most will require 4-6 sessions with a 10-14 day frequency.  At times, a longer 4 week interval is prescribed to allow for more healing time.  Although, it may not be surprising to observe improvement days after the 1st session.  Typically, improvements are seen within 2-3 sessions with gradual reduction in pain with each session.  More serious injuries or those with pre-existing health issue will likely require longer or other additional course of treatment.  

Hormone status, immune status, severity of injury, nutrition, supplementation, stress management, adequate sleep are all factors that influence healing.  It is necessary to optimize these things in order to experience the best results with prolotherapy.  Dr Sraw will guide you through the process to make sure you are able to maximally benefit.  

 

Optimize Your Success with Prolotherapy

To optimize your treatment program, further testing or additional augmentative therapies may be recommended.  This may include any of the following:

Labwork – blood chemistry
Hormone Testing
Applied Kinesiology Testing
Manual Therapy – like massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic
Trigger Point Therapy
Acupuncture
Laser Therapy
Supplementation

Prolotherapy has a high success rate for most types of musculoskeletal pain, and is effective on a variety of joints, including neck, back, hips, knees, ankles, shoulders.

 

Your Next Steps

Step 1

History

Your initial session is your opportunity to share your health goals, and for Dr. Sraw to gather vital information that will help determine the root cause of your concerns and to determine the best treatment plan for you.

A complete medical and lifestyle history regarding the details of your current and past health concerns, lifestyle and current medication and supplementation is taken during your initial session.

 

Step 2

Further Testing

As need be, Dr. Sraw will suggest further testing be conducted to uncover any questions remaining by the end of the first session.  Tests you have completed from the past may be requested, as well.

 

Step 3

Examination

Your initial session will include a physical examination.  The area of pain and surrounding areas will be examined.  Assessment may include gait assessment, orthopaedic testing and/or applied kinesiology.  Dr. Sraw may also use ultrasound to assess the injured tissue(s).