What is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy, also known as proliferative therapy, is a non-surgical treatment used to promote the healing, primarily of injured ligaments and tendons. It involves injecting a solution, often containing dextrose (a sugar solution), into the damaged tissue to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. Over time, this can help strengthen and repair weakened structures, providing relief from chronic pain and improving joint function.
 What are Ligament and Tendon Injuries?
Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones to each other, while tendons connect muscles to bones. Both ligaments and tendons can become injured due to overuse, trauma, or degenerative conditions. These injuries can lead to pain, instability, and loss of function in affected joints. Common examples of ligament and tendon injuries include:
 What is Ultrasound-Guided Prolotherapy?
Ultrasound-guided prolotherapy is an advanced technique where ultrasound imaging is used to precisely guide the injection into the injured area. The ultrasound allows your clinician to visualise the affected structure, ensuring accurate placement of the injection and increasing the effectiveness of the treatment. This technology minimises the risk of damaging surrounding tissues and enhances the safety of the procedure.
Benefits of Ultrasound-Guided Prolotherapy
- Precision: Ultrasound guidance ensures that the solution is injected directly into the injured area.
- Minimized Risk: The use of real-time imaging reduces the chances of hitting nerves, blood vessels, or other structures.
- Increased Efficacy: Proper targeting of the injection can lead to better outcomes and faster healing.
How Does Prolotherapy Work?
The injected solution used in prolotherapy causes mild irritation or inflammation in the targeted area, which triggers the body’s natural healing response. This process stimulates the production of new collagen, which is essential for the repair and strengthening of ligaments and tendons. Over time, the treated tissues become stronger and more resilient, which can alleviate pain and improve joint stability.
What to Expect During the Procedure
- Consultation: Your clinician will evaluate your condition, review your medical history, conduct a diagnostic ultrasound scan, and determine if you are a good candidate for prolotherapy.
- Preparation: The procedure is performed in an outpatient setting. The treatment area will be sterilized, and you may be given a local anesthetic to numb the area.
- Injection: Using ultrasound guidance, the provider will insert a needle into the injured ligament or tendon and inject the prolotherapy solution.
- Post-Procedure: The injection process typically takes a few minutes, but the appointment will last around 60 minute. You may experience mild soreness or swelling after the injection, which is a normal part of the healing process.
Recovery and Aftercare
- Rest: After the procedure, you may need to rest the treated area for a few days. However, light movement and stretching are often encouraged to prevent stiffness.
- Pain Management: You may experience mild discomfort or swelling for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers (except anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen) can help manage this.
- Physiotherapy: this may be recommended to improve strength and flexibility as your injury heals.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Most patients require several prolotherapy sessions, typically 3, spaced a few weeks apart, to achieve optimal results. The exact number of treatments varies depending on the severity of the injury and the individual’s response to the therapy. Some patients may notice improvement after just one or two sessions, while others may need additional treatments.
Who is a Good Candidate for Ultrasound-Guided Prolotherapy?
Ultrasound-guided prolotherapy may be a good option for individuals suffering from chronic ligament or tendon injuries that have not responded to other treatments. Conditions that can benefit from prolotherapy include:
- Chronic ligament sprains
- Tendinitis (such as tennis elbow or Achilles tendinitis)
- Partial tendon tears
- Joint instability caused by ligament weakness
However, prolotherapy may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with severe degenerative conditions or certain medical conditions may not be candidates for this treatment. Your clinician  will evaluate your condition to determine if prolotherapy is right for you.
Risks and Side Effects
Prolotherapy is generally considered safe, especially when performed under ultrasound guidance. However, like any medical procedure, there are some risks, including:
- Temporary pain or swelling at the injection site
- Bruising or stiffness
- Infection (rare)
- Allergic reaction to the injection solution (rare)
It’s important to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure.
Summary
Ultrasound-guided prolotherapy offers a safe, non-surgical option for treating chronic ligament and tendon injuries. By stimulating the body’s natural healing process, prolotherapy can help strengthen damaged tissues, reduce pain, and improve function.
Cost
Consultation + scan + single prolotherapy injection = £250
Consultation + scan + course of 3 prolotherapy injections = £450
(Initial 60minute appointment, followed by two 30 minute appointments, typically with 2 weeks gap between appointments)
