Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy (Proliferative Therapy) is a recognised orthopaedic procedure that stimulates the body's healing processes to strengthen and repair injured ligaments, tendons, and joints. When ligaments or tendons are stretched or torn, the joint they support becomes destabilised and painful. Prolotherapy directly addresses this instability — injecting a solution at the injury site that triggers a mild inflammatory response, stimulating the growth of new, normal collagen tissue and resulting in permanent joint stabilisation. Once stabilised, pain typically resolves.

Traditional injection solutions contain dextrose, saline, and local anaesthetic. More advanced formulas include Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and autologous adult stem cells sourced from bone marrow or adipose tissue. Each physician tailors the formula to the patient's specific needs.

Studies in low back pain show an 85–95% improvement rate with prolotherapy, compared to 52% for back surgery. A typical course is 4 to 6 treatments at 3–6 week intervals. Anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, ibuprofen) should not be taken after treatment, as they suppress the inflammatory healing process that makes prolotherapy effective.

Areas treated include: low back, neck, knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, wrist, TMJ, plantar fasciitis, IT band syndrome, and piriformis syndrome.