Prolotherapy, also known as ligament and tendon reconstruction therapy, is a non-surgical form of regenerative medicine that treats both acute and chronic injuries, as well as difficult-to-resolve joint pain. It is a procedure that re-creates the body's natural healing processes to strengthen joints and weakened areas.
Considered one of the more advanced therapies available today for REPAIRING damaged tissue fibers and joints. It utilizes dextrose (a simple sugar) injected into a ligament or joint to stimulate growth factors, which therefore increase collagen production, which increases tissue strength, and helps people heal faster. Prolotherapy is helpful in a variety of conditions such as torn ligaments or tendons, osteoarthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, frozen shoulders, whiplash, herniated and degenerative discs, sports and motor vehicle accident injuries, to name a few.
Most people require 4-6 injections administered every 3 - 4 weeks over the course of several months. Dr. Brunel will advise patients based on their individual situation. After a treatment, swelling pain and stiffness may occur, but should subside within a couple of days. It is important not to use anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen afterwards since it will counteract the repair work (ie collagen production) and counter the healing of the damaged tissue fibers.
