Prolotherapy or Proliferative Injection Therapy

Prolotherapy (also known as proliferative injection therapy, proliferation therapy and regenerative injection therapy) involves injecting an otherwise non-pharmacological and non-active irritant solution into the body, generally in the region of tendons or ligaments for the purpose of strengthening weakened connective tissue and alleviating musculoskeletal pain. Prolotherapy involves the treatment of two specific kinds of tissue: tendons and ligaments. It is often used as an alternative to invasive arthroscopic surgery.

As of April 2005, doctors at the Mayo Clinic began supporting prolotherapy. Mayo Clinic doctors list the areas that are most likely to benefit from prolotherapy treatment: ankles, knees, elbows, and sacroiliac joint in the low back. They report that "unlike corticosteroid injections - which may provide temporary relief - prolotherapy involves improving the injected tissue by stimulating tissue growth."

Prolotherapy works by exactly the same process that the human body naturally uses to stimulate the body's healing system, a process called inflammation. The technique involves the injection of an irritant solution or proliferant (into the area where connective tissue has been weakened or damaged through injury or strain) that causes an inflammatory response which "turns on" the healing process. Many solutions are used, including Dextrose, Lidocaine (a commonly used local anesthetic), Phenol (an alcohol), Glycerine, or Cod Liver Oil extract. The injection is given into joint capsules or where tendon connects to bone. Many points may require injection. The Injected solution causes the body to heal itself through the process of inflammation and repair. In the case of weakened or torn connective tissue, induced inflammation and release of growth factor at the site of injury may result in a 30-40% strengthening of the attachment points, although strong scientific evidence supporting this is lacking.

Prolotherapy treatment sessions are generally given every two to six weeks. Many patients receive treatment at less and less frequent intervals until treatments are required only every several years, if at all.

Uses of Prolotherapy 

Prolotherapy may be used in the following cases:
•  Recurrent swelling or fullness involving a joint or muscular region
•  Popping, clicking, grinding, or catching sensations with movement
•  A sensation of the "leg giving way" with associated back pain
•  Temporary benefit from chiropractic manipulation or manual mobilization that fails to ultimately resolve the pain
•  Distinct tender points and "jump signs" along the bone at tendon or ligament attachments
•  Numbness, tingling, aching, or burning, referred into an upper or lower extremity
•  Recurrent headache, face pain, jaw pain, ear pain
•  Chest pain with tenderness along the rib attachments on the spine or along the front of the chest
•  Spine pain that does not respond to surgery, or whose origin is not clear or consistent based on extensive studies

Cost of treatment

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