Regenerative Injection Therapy (Prolotherapy)

What is prolotherapy?  

Prolotherapy (aka Regenerative Injection Therapy, RIT) is a non-cortisone type of injection that can treat many orthopedic conditions. “Prolo” is short for proliferation, because the treatment causes the proliferation (growth, or formation)  and remodeling of new ligament or tendon tissue in areas where it has become weak.  

Ligaments are bands of tissue that hold bones together. Ligaments can become weak or injured and may not heal back to their original strength or endurance. This is largely because the blood supply to ligaments is limited, and therefore healing is slow and not always complete. To further complicate this, ligaments also have many nerve endings and therefore the person will feel pain in the areas where the ligaments are damaged or loose. Tendons are the name given to tissue with connects muscles to bones. Tendons may become injured, and also cause pain.  

Prolotherapy uses a dextrose (sugar water) solution, which is injected into the ligament or tendon where it attaches to the bone. This causes a localized inflammation in these weak areas which then increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients and growth factors, which stimulates the tissue to repair itself.  

Prolotherapy is helpful for what conditions?  

The treatment is useful for many different types of disorders, including neck and back pain, sports injuries, partially damaged tendons or ligaments, arthritis,  fibromyalgia, degenerated or herniated discs, and TMJ.  

How many treatments are necessary?  

The response to treatment varies from individual to individual and depends upon one’s healing ability. Some people may only need a few treatments while others may need 10 or more. The average number of treatments is 4-6, and there is not the concern of repeated injections as with cortisone. Once you begin treatment, your doctor can tell better you how you are responding and make appropriate recommendations. Contact us today at Rehability if Prolotherapy is right for you.