Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is a safe, minimally invasive treatment for pain affecting the bones, muscles, and connective tissues. At Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC, which serves the Denver metropolitan area, sports medicine specialist Kevin O’Donnell, DO, and the team use prolotherapy to treat arthritis, tendinitis, lower back pain, and more. Call Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC to schedule a prolotherapy consultation, or book your appointment online today. 

What is prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is an alternative procedure that may kickstart your body’s natural healing process. 

During treatment, your provider injects dextrose (a type of sugar) into a specific part of your body, such as a painful joint or inflamed tendon. The sugar irritates the treatment site, increasing blood flow to the area. This may relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and encourage healing.

Which musculoskeletal problems can prolotherapy treat?

Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC uses prolotherapy to treat various musculoskeletal problems, including:

• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Degenerative disc disease
• Achilles tendinitis
• Back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Knee pain
• Meniscus injuries
• Foot and ankle pain
• Elbow pain
• Ligament injuries

Sometimes, prolotherapy is prescribed for carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful overuse condition that affects the hands and wrists. 

Am I a candidate for prolotherapy?

Before recommending prolotherapy, your specialist reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a physical exam. 

Tell them if you take any medications or regularly undergo pain management treatments. Certain drugs and procedures can affect prolotherapy’s efficacy, so they must be aware.

What happens during prolotherapy treatment?

Prolotherapy typically takes 30 minutes or less.

Your provider fills several syringes with dextrose and uses ultrasound imaging to guide the needle to a specific spot, such as a swollen joint, inflamed tendon, or damaged ligament. Once the needle is in place, they inject the dextrose beneath your skin, irritating the treatment site and promoting healing.

The number of injections you receive depends on the severity of your pain and the underlying cause. However, most people get three to six.

What is recovery like after prolotherapy?

After prolotherapy, you can return to work, school, and other activities immediately. You might experience mild redness, bruising, and swelling at the injection site, but these symptoms should resolve within a day or two. 

Tell your provider if you plan on working out or playing sports after your treatment session. These activities shouldn’t cause problems, but you might need to rest for at least 24 hours, depending on their advice.

If you need additional prolotherapy injections, Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC provides a schedule. 

How long do the effects of prolotherapy last?

Prolotherapy may relieve pain and inflammation, but the results are often temporary. Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC monitors your symptoms at regular checkups, adjusting your care plan when needed, to ensure a positive outcome. 

Call Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC to schedule a prolotherapy appointment, or book your visit online today.