PROLOTHERAPY

from the library of Robert L. Talley, DDS.

Prolotherapy is also known as non-surgical ligament reconstruction. It is a treatment for chronic pain.

Prolotherapy is useful for many different types of musculoskeletal pain, including TMJ disorders, arthritis, back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, unresolved whiplash injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, partially torn tendons, ligaments and cartilage, degenerated or herniated discs, and sciatica.

"Prolo" is short for proliferation, because the treatment causes the proliferation (growth, formation) of new ligament tissue in areas where it has become weak.

Ligaments are the structural "rubber bands" that hold bones to bones in joints. Ligaments can become weak or injured and may not heal back to their original strength or endurance. This is largely because the blood supply to ligaments is limited, and therefore healing is slow and not always complete. To further complicate this, ligaments also have many nerve endings and therefore the person will feel pain at the areas where the ligaments are damaged or loose.

Tendons are the name given to tissue which connects muscles to bones, and in the same manner tendons may also become injured, and cause pain.

Prolotherapy uses a dextrose (sugar water) solution, which is injected into the ligament or tendon where it attaches to the bone. This causes a localized inflammation in these weak areas, which then increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients and stimulates the tissue to repair itself.

The response to treatment varies from individual to individual, and depends upon one's healing ability. Some people may only need a few treatments while others may need 10 or more. The average number of treatments is 4-6 for an area treated.

Following your prolotherapy appointment, you may apply ice to the area and take plain Tylenol, if needed. DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, SUCH AS ASPIRIN, MOTRIN, ADVIL, ETC. FOR 72 HOURS.