Did you know?
Prolotherapy injections are being advertised around the Triangle as being helpful for pain and tendinopathy.
Prolotherapy is typically dextrose (a sugar) and there may not be any benefit to this type of injection.
The claim behind Prolotherapy is that adding an irritant (like dextrose) triggers the body to respond with healing factors. I take exception to that logic as there is already an irritant (strained or inflamed tendon/ligament) that the body is not healing. Irritating the area further can only add insult to injury. I personally have not seen it work for patients and I tend to think any benefit is placebo.
For tendon healing, I would strongly recommend PRP with ozone and/or Traumeel. PRP with ozone provides Growth Factors (TGF-beta and VEGF), blocks cytokines (decreases inflammation), increases prostacyclin (more blood flow to area), and increases metabolic function of existing cells.
X-Rays and MRIs can distinguish between tendinopathy vs. arthritis. If arthritis, we should consider Wharton’s Jelly to hopefully avoid surgery as PRP is not effective for osteoarthritis.
A full consultation and exam with PRP treatment here at TFMC costs $500. I have decades of experience as an Orthopaedic PA and bring that to my role as an Integrative PA here at The Functional Medicine Center
In contrast, a search of “Prolotherapy in Durham” reveals providers are charging a consultation fee, $500 per treatment, and a “suggestion” of 6 treatments. Patients have frequently spent several thousand dollars on having “sugar water” injected into their tendons.
I’m happy to answer more questions. I am begging you to chat with me before going for prolotherapy.
Joshua L. Corwin, MS, PA-C