China
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy is a form of low risk, non-surgical and non-steroidal treatment for degenerative bones, joints and ligaments. It is an injection of hypertonic dextrose solution at the affected areas, such as knee joints, cervical spine and spinal cord.
Nature of human body
The Human body has a natural self-healing capability. For example, if someone is bleeding from a cut, the blood can be naturally stopped as the body has a clotting factor. Secondly, a red wound signifies inflammation and more blood cells around the wound. Thirdly, tissues repair themselves autonomously until the wound is properly healed.
The natural self-healing process and Prolotherapy
Principles of Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy induces mild inflammation to initially activate the self-healing process. After the triggered inflammation, the process of tissues repair will gradually start until the wound becomes healed or when the joint comes back to normal. The mechanism of action is different from an anti-inflammatory injection or when taking a pain relieve medication which only treats the symptoms. They do not actually address the root cause of the problem.
Suitable candidates
Prolotherapy is suitable for patients with mild pain in bones, joints or ligaments:
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Injured athletes
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Patients with degenerative knee joint
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Patients with herniated disc
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Patients with degenerative cervical spine
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Patients with tennis elbow
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Patients with ankle pain or chronic Achilles tendinitis
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Patients who do not want long term medication intake or surgical solutions
Treatment details
After the first Prolotherapy injection, the second injection will be 1-2 weeks later. The whole treatment program takes 3-5 sessions, depending on the severity of symptoms plus the doctor’s recommendation. The injection targets inside the joint and frozen ligaments around the joints to stimulate the tissue repair process. After the intentionally induced inflammation from the Prolotherapy subsides, the pain experienced becomes less. However, the treatment result varies as each patient’s condition is different to another.
Side effects
Patients may experience mild pain and inflammation that persists for 1 to 2 days. The discomfort can be relieved by applying a cold compression to the affected area, plus the minimal help of painkillers. Having said that, patients will be advise not to consume any form of anti-inflammatory medications as it contradicts the principles of Prolotherapy which is inflammation induction. After 1 to 2 days of inflammation, the pain will gradually subside.
Clinical precaution
Please note that Prolotherapy injection site must not be in close proximity to an artery.
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