Prolotherapy
CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PROLOTHERAPY
Prolotherapy is a safe, effective and non-surgical treatment for chronic pain using injections to jumpstart healing. This method has been used for decades on various types of musculoskeletal injuries.
Pain frequently occurs as a result of overuse injuries, falls, athletic endeavors and typically involves the soft tissues in the body, including ligaments, tendons, joints and joint capsules. All these structures connect to each other and are called connective tissues. Ligaments connect bones to other bones and tendons connect muscle to bones, and are the welds in the body that create normal motion, strength and stability. These structures also work together to stabilize our skeleton. They are also target areas of injury.
Pain frequently occurs as a result of overuse injuries, falls, athletic endeavors and typically involves the soft tissues in the body, including ligaments, tendons, joints and joint capsules. All these structures connect to each other and are called connective tissues. Ligaments connect bones to other bones and tendons connect muscle to bones, and are the welds in the body that create normal motion, strength and stability. These structures also work together to stabilize our skeleton. They are also target areas of injury.
Prolotherapy is performed to repair and strengthen these connections and thereby eliminate or decrease pain. Think of this like welding structures together that have been weakened. The best part is that prolotherapy is a natural way to treat these problems by using the body’s inherent healing mechanisms. Sometimes we just need some help to “jumpstart” our own ability to heal. Prolotherapy is also a solution to the problem and not a coverup like using pain medication or steroid injections.
Prolotherapy treatments do not contain any drugs, steroids, narcotics or NSAIDs, are performed in the office and do not require surgery. Dr. Krasnick performs injections under ultrasound guidance, so he is highly accurate in injecting the treatment to the exact location needed. These treatments allow the body’s own natural healing powers to recover and restore to health.
If you are looking for a non-surgical, drug-free, natural, alternative pain treatment, then contact us at (734) 585-5653 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Krasnick.
Prolotherapy FAQ
How does Prolotherapy work?
Prolotherapy is quite simple. When connective tissues (ligaments, tendons, joints) are injured, these structures frequently do not heal completely due to poor blood flow. Injections with prolotherapy cause localized inflammation (not all inflammation is bad) thereby increasing blood flow which jumpstarts the normal healing cascade. Though this takes time, the treated tissues heal naturally by regaining strength and stability. Left untreated these tissue injuries lead to chronic pain not only because of the local injury to the body part affected but to the surrounding support structure as well. This destabilizes the surrounding support structures, creates pain, spasm, malalignment and eventually, arthritis.
Why don’t other treatments help me?
Medications and other forms of therapy, including ultrasound, ice, heat, strength training, and massage, may only give temporary relief or minimal lasting benefits. This is because the underlying primary problem or root cause, such as damaged and loose tendons/ligaments, are not addressed.
What’s in a Prolotherapy injection?
Prolotherapy solutions are made with dextrose mixed with lidocaine (an anesthetic) and are injected into the damaged connective tissue to stimulate repair. This is in contrast to the use of cortisone or steroids which decrease inflammation, temporarily block pain signals, and slow or stop the normal healing process. Steroids do make some patients feel better but the effect is temporary and unfortunately can make the patient worse. Tissue damage is not repaired with steroids and further weakening of the support structures can occur leading to more instability and pain. With prolotherapy there is no masking of pain as connective tissue heals naturally and becomes stronger. The end result is long lasting pain relief, improved stability and normal function.
What can I expect with a Prolotherapy procedure?
The area being treated is sterilized and anesthetized with lidocaine. Then a 15-25% dextrose solution is injected into the specific structures and region. Frequently these injections are done under ultrasound guidance. With Prolotherapy a region, not just one or two locations is injected. This is necessary to effectively treat the problem area. For example, the shoulder may only hurt in one particular area, but the whole shoulder joint, capsule, ligaments and scapula need to be treated together to ensure successful outcomes. Typically, patients require multiple sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. There can be a small amount of discomfort that may require pain medication such as Tylenol for one to two days. The length of time for the procedure can vary greatly depending on the area being injected and the number of injections given.