Spine Care

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is an injection procedure that stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms to repair chronically damaged connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons.

• It is an FDA-approved, non-surgical procedure that is a less invasive and less costly alternative to surgery. How does it work?
• Prolotherapy uses substances called orthobiologics, which can either be extracted from the body, such as stem cells and platelet-rich plasma,or use natural chemicals such as dextrose, a form of sugar that the body uses for energy.
• Dextrose Injections have been proven to be more effective than steroid injections in treating chronic SI joint pain and is more effective for pain reduction and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis than exercise alone.
• Dextrose is also more effective than lidocaine in pain reduction and range of motion improvement in osteoarthritis of the hands.
• Under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance, the damaged ligament or tendon is injected with orthobiologics that causes a small amount of local tissue irritation or inflammation.
• The inflammation triggers the body’s natural repair process to strengthen the existing tissue and to enhance the growth of new tissue.
• Prolotherapy is an out-patient procedure that takes about 30 minutes to an hour.

When is Prolotherapy recommended?

Prolotherapy is recommended for conditions where ligaments, tendons or cartilage has grown loose or weak and results in pain, such as in arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome,tennis elbow, and many other conditions.

What are the costs?

Although approved by the FDA, Prolotherapy is not widely recognized by most insurance companies, to which costs can vary between $250 - $1700.However, payment plans are available

What are the results?

Though the risks associated with prolotherapy are very limited, side effects may include inflammation, temporary pain,and some bruising. Although results may vary, many patients have reported a noticeable reduction in pain and increased range of motion.