Prolotherapy is an alternative therapy that may help repair body tissues. It’s also known as regenerative injection therapy or proliferation therapy. There are different types of prolotherapy, but they all aim to stimulate the body to repair itself. Dextrose or saline prolotherapy involve injecting a sugar or salt solution into a joint or other part of the body to treat a range of conditions, such as:
- Tendon, muscle, and ligament problems
- Arthritis of the knees, hips, and fingers
- Degenerative disc disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Some types of headache
- Sprains and strains
- Lax or unstable joints
It helps to :
- Reduce pain and stiffness
- Improved strength, function, and mobility of the joint
- Increase the strength of ligaments and other tissues
Physicians mostly use it to treat tendon injuries resulting from overuse and to tighten unstable joints. IProlotherapy may provide some pain relief.
What are the risks of prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is likely to be safe, as long as the practitioner has training and experience in these types of injections. However, there are risks involved with injecting substances into a joint.
Possible adverse effects include:
- Pain and stiffness
- Bleeding
- Bruising and swelling
- Infection
- Allergic reactions
Procedure :
- The process should take around 30 minutes, including preparation, after you arrive at the facility.
- Immediately after treatment, your doctor may apply ice or heat packs to the treated areas for 10–15 minutes. During this time, you will rest.
- Then you’ll be able to go home.
Recovery:
Immediately after the procedure, you’ll likely notice some swelling and stiffness. Most people can resume normal activities by the next day, although bruising, discomfort, swelling, and stiffness may continue for up to a week.
Seek medical attention at once if you notice:
- severe or worsening pain, swelling, or both
- A fever
These could be a sign of infection.