Prolotherapy.

What it is

Prolotherapy, short for proliferative therapy, is an injection treatment for chronic joint, ligament and tendon pain. A clinician injects a mild irritant, usually a dextrose (sugar) solution, into the injured tissue. Unlike a cortisone shot, which calms inflammation, it sets off a brief, controlled inflammatory response meant to prompt the body to lay down new collagen and strengthen the tissue.

Dr. George Hackett developed it in the 1950s. Today it is used for knee arthritis, loose or unstable joints, tendon problems and old injuries, usually as a series of treatments.

What happens at a visit

1. An exam of the joint and a review of any imaging.
2. Injections of a dextrose solution into the ligaments or tendons around the joint.
3. Several injection points in one visit.
4. More pain or stiffness for 2 to 7 days is normal as the area reacts.
5. Any improvement usually builds over 4 to 6 weeks.
6. Usually a series of 3 to 6 treatments, 3 to 6 weeks apart.

Who it is for

• People with chronic joint instability or loose ligaments
• People with partial ligament or tendon tears
• People with chronic pain from old injuries
• People with knee osteoarthritis
• Athletes with overuse injuries
• People who want to try a non-surgical option first

Evidence and safety

Prolotherapy has been used for about 70 years. The strongest support is for osteoarthritis, especially of the knee, where trials show less pain and better function; results for low back pain and tendon problems are more mixed. With a trained physician it is generally safe. Expect a temporary pain flare after each session; infection and nerve irritation are rare.

How Gabriel helps