How Prolotherapy Injections Are Revolutionizing Joint Pain Treatment

Painful joints are a major burden, especially if they’re also stiff. Whether the pain is constant or comes and goes, finding the right treatment makes a positive difference in your quality of life. 

Unfortunately, if you struggle with arthritis or joint pain from past injuries, finding a treatment that works for you can take some trial and error. You may not find much relief with conventional treatments like over-the-counter medications and gentle exercise. 

At Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC in Centennial, Colorado, Kevin O’Donnell, DO, specializes in treating joint pain using the latest and most advanced therapies. One of those options is called prolotherapy, and it’s revolutionizing joint pain treatment. 

How prolotherapy treats joint pain

Prolotherapy is an injection treatment that stimulates the naturally occurring healing abilities in painful joints. In the injection is an irritant. The most common irritant used in prolotherapy is a dextrose (sugar) solution. In many cases, lidocaine (local anesthesia) is included to numb the area. 

When the irritant enters a painful joint, your tissues release chemicals to kickstart the healing process. They begin to repair the underlying damage causing your joint pain. To be sure the solution reaches the right area of the targeted joint, Dr. O’Donnell may use ultrasound imaging to guide the needle. 

To get the best results from prolotherapy, you might need 3-6 sessions. The number and frequency of injections depend on the joints being treated. 

Prolotherapy is best known as a treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain, which occurs in around 87% of osteoarthritis cases. Your knees bear much of your body weight and can acquire damage from long-term use. 

Preparing for treatment

If prolotherapy is part of your treatment plan, you can take steps to prepare for a complication-free treatment. Before prolotherapy, you’ll visit us for a detailed treatment consultation. 

Dr. O’Donnell assesses your painful joint(s) and makes sure you aren’t undergoing any medical treatments that could interfere with prolotherapy. Before treatment, you should:

• Avoid pain medications for a few days
• Eat a full meal
• Bring along recent and relevant lab test results
• Ask any questions you have about the treatment

Dr. O’Donnell may have other suggestions based on your medical history. 

Advantages of prolotherapy

Prolotherapy stands out as a treatment for joint pain because of its advantages over other joint pain methods. While prolotherapy might not be the only treatment you receive for joint pain, it’s an excellent option because it:

• Doesn’t involve surgery or incisions
• Doesn’t require general anesthesia
• Is minimally invasive
• Helps painful joints heal naturally
• Stimulates new tissue growth to improve joint function
• Causes few or no side effects

Prolotherapy can safely be used alongside many other treatments for joint pain, including physical therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and medications. Talk to Dr. O’Donnell about creating a custom treatment plan for your painful joints. 

Schedule an appointment online or over the phone at Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC to find out if you’re a good candidate for prolotherapy.