Prolotherapy: A Non-Surgical, Non-Steroidal Treatment for Ligament, Joint, and Bone Degeneration

The Human Bodys Natural Healing Process

The human body is inherently capable of repairing itself. For example, when a person sustains a cut, the body initiates a four-stage healing process:

1. Hemostasis to stop the bleeding
   
2. Inflammation marked by redness and increased blood flow, drawing immune cells to the injury site
   
3. Tissue repair where cells begin to regenerate damaged tissue
   
4. Tissue remodeling completing the healing process

How Prolotherapy Supports Natural Healing

Prolotherapy is a treatment that injects a solutiontypically containing dextrose (a type of sugar)into painful areas such as joints or spine segments (e.g., the neck or lower back). The goal is to mildly stimulate inflammation, thereby triggering the bodys natural repair mechanisms.

Unlike painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs that merely suppress symptoms, Prolotherapy promotes true tissue regeneration by reviving the bodys own healing sequence.

How Prolotherapy Works

The injection creates minor, localized inflammation, which wakes up the bodys healing response:

• Increases blood flow to the affected area
  
• Attracts repair cells such as fibroblasts and growth factors
  
• Stimulates the regeneration of ligaments, tendons, and joint cartilage

This process gradually strengthens and stabilizes weakened or degenerated tissues.

Who is Prolotherapy Suitable For?

This therapy is ideal for patients who have mild to moderate pain from musculoskeletal conditions such as:

• Sports-related ligament injuries
  
• Knee osteoarthritis
  
• Degenerated spinal discs
  
• Cervical spondylosis (neck degeneration)
  
• Tennis elbow
  
• Chronic ankle pain or Achilles tendonitis
  
• Individuals who wish to avoid surgery or long-term medication

Treatment Schedule

Typically, after the first injection, a follow-up session is scheduled 12 weeks later. Most patients need about 3 to 5 sessions, depending on the severity of the condition.

Injections target joint spaces and ligament attachment points to stimulate the healing of surrounding tissues. Once the initial soreness subsides, patients often report a significant reduction in pain and improved function. However, results may vary between individuals.

Post-Treatment Effects and Care

Patients may experience mild pain or soreness at the injection site for 12 days. This can be managed with:

• Cold compresses
  
• Mild pain relievers (e.g., paracetamol) but not anti-inflammatory drugs, as they would counteract the inflammatory mechanism Prolotherapy relies on
  
• Resting the treated area for 12 days

Symptoms generally improve steadily after that period.