You have muscle or joint conditions that need to be repaired.
Your pains have pain.
You want to accelerate your body’s natural healing process.
You’re looking for a minimally invasive solution and want to avoid orthopedic surgery.
Prolotherapy is a non-steroid injection that naturally encourages the body to heal common health conditions like:
While there are several different formulations used in prolotherapy, a common one is made of hypertonic dextrose (a concentrated sugar solution) and lidocaine (a numbing agent). By activating the body’s self-healing properties, prolotherapy treatments can help get you on the path to new mobility and healing. The exact way that prolotherapy works is subject to ongoing research. However, a common hypothesis is that prolotherapy stimulates the release of growth factors in response to cellular irritation.
Prolotherapy is an outpatient procedure. You will be able to go home soon after your treatment.
Prior to your Prolotherapy injection, your skin will be cleaned with an alcohol wipe. You will then receive a local anesthetic to the area being treated.
Here is how the Prolothrerapy procedure works:
1. The skin is prepped with the alcohol wipe and local anesthetic.
2. The prolo solution is injected into the affected area.
The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes including prep time.
Please click HERE for a printable version of important guidelines from your doctor to follow after your Prolotherapy treatment.
Surgery shouldn’t be a first option. Neither should a prescription.
Any patient who has suffered a joint, muscle, or connective tissue injury may be a good candidate for prolotherapy.
Prolotherapy is effective at decreasing or, in many cases, eliminating pain for individuals with connective tissue and joint injuries like osteoarthritis, muscle pain, and tendon pain. However, we do not recommend prolotherapy treatments for rheumatoid arthritis or for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Sparing these exceptions, prolotherapy is regarded as a safe alternative to steroid injections that speeds up the body’s own healing process.
Our prolotherapy injections do not have the same adverse reactions as steroids. Long term use of steroid injections can lead to cartilage loss, as well as changes in skin and subcutaneous fat near the injection site. More rarely, joint steroid injections can lead to bone death, osteoporosis, and hormonal imbalances.
At Loehr Health Center, we will help guide you through your treatment process which includes an exam, consultation, diagnosis, and treatment. We may order additional imaging or diagnostic testing, and our regenerative medicine providers will help you determine which treatment is right for you.
We value your health. If prolotherapy is not a recommended treatment option for you or you would benefit from co-treating with other specialists, our physicians will refer you to the appropriate healthcare provider.
Prolotherapy uses the process of regenerating cells to restore or establish normal function. This procedure injects natural irritants into an injured area to trigger the body’s own healing process. Prolotherapy treatment can be used on many areas of the body, such as the shoulders, neck, and knees. While there are several different formulations used in prolotherapy, a common one is made of hypertonic dextrose (a concentrated sugar solution) and lidocaine (a numbing agent). By activating the body’s self-healing properties, prolotherapy treatments can help get you on the path to new mobility and healing.
NSAIDS (anti-inflammatory medications) may decrease the effectiveness of the prolotherapy injection. Notify your doctor prior to your injection if you have taken any NSAIDS to discuss your treatment options.
Patients usually see improvement within two to four weeks of receiving a prolo injection. If necessary, your doctor may recommend another injection four to six weeks after your prior injection.
Patients will feel discomfort during the injection—similar to getting a vaccination. Prolotherapy may cause mild swelling, inflammation, and aches for several days after the injections. This is normal, and this temporary inflammation is an important part of the regenerative process. The ache will soon subside and will leave you feeling even better than before.
No, you will not need an escort the day of receiving a prolotherapy injection. We do not use anesthesia, only topical numbing creams. You will be alert and able to drive after the procedure.
You should not take any anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen before or after your treatment.
If you receive a prolotherapy injection, do not take NSAIDS (anti-inflammatory medications) for at least seven days after your procedure.
Prolotherapy works by stimulating the body’s inflammatory responses to trigger healing, so taking an anti-inflammatory medication will reduce the efficacy of the treatment.
Some swelling post-injection is normal. This is the body’s immune system working. You may use a cold compress a few times per day for ten to twenty minutes at a time to help decrease pain and swelling.
If possible, avoid washing the injection site for a minimum of 24 hours after an injection. Patients should also avoid the use of skincare and hair products at the injection site for at least 24 hours. Individuals who received a spinal injection should avoid submerging the injection site for 72 hours. Avoid using hair coloring products for one week, if applicable.
Patients should not resume exercise in the joint that was injected for approximately two weeks after a prolotherapy injection.
Patients may be advised to wear a brace or sling to immobilize the affected joint. Patients may also be advised to use crutches if they receive an injection at the ankle, knee, or hip.
Prolotherapy treatments are not covered by most insurance companies. However, we do not want cost to be a hindrance to receiving care. If cost is a concern, please contact our billing department by CLICKING HERE, and they will review your financial options with you.
Depending on your particular needs and the number of joints to be treated, the average cost at our clinic can range from $150.00 to $450.00 per syringe.
Usually, an area will need one to two syringes per treatment.
Many patients see improvement after one to two treatments. Your doctor will let you know if additional prolotherapy treatments are needed.
Please click HERE for a printable version of important guidelines from your doctor to follow after your prolotherapy injection.
Please click HERE for a printable version of important guidelines from your doctor to follow after your prolotherapy injection.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience the following symptoms:
Other symptoms? Just ask by calling us. We’re here to help.