We all know that sugar is an important ingredient in baking and cooking, but did you know that it also has important medicinal purposes? The simple sugar, dextrose, can be dissolved in solution and given intravenously to treat dehydration or administer medications.
In orthopedics, physicians use dextrose, which is a natural form of glucose, to promote the normal growth of cells and tissues. Proliferative therapy, commonly referred to as Prolotherapy, involves the injection of dextrose and water to the site of an injured tendon, ligament or joint to stimulate healing. It facilitates the restoration of strength and stability in these tissues.
The solution is prepared at varying concentrations of dextrose, combined with a local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. The concentrated dextrose serves as an irritant and triggers mild inflammation to jump start the natural healing process. Prolotherapy, when used in lower concentrations, has been shown to help nerve pain by blocking nerve pain impulses. It can be combined with natural homeopathic solutions to provide immediate relief to joint, nerve and other soft tissues.
Prolotherapy has been used to treat chronic musculoskeletal conditions for more than 80 years. It was developed by Dr. George Hackett in the 1950’s and represented a major step forward in identifying ways in which the body could heal itself naturally.
Conditions Treated with Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy can reduce pain and inflammation and improve healing in patients suffering from a number of orthopedic conditions, including:
- Tendinopathy
- Joint sprains or laxity
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Ligament sprains
- Osteoarthritis
- Plantar fasciosis
- Sports injuries such as tennis elbow or golf elbow
Prolotherapy is an Out-Patient Procedure
As opposed to oral medications that must work their way through the body’s systems to reach their intended target, prolotherapy is a targeted treatment that involves the injection of the medication directly to the injured body part. This is done using imaging guidance in the form of fluoroscopy (x-ray) or ultrasound. There is no incision, no major recovery time and no need for lengthy rehabilitation. The entire procedure takes less than an hour. There may be mild swelling or bruising for the first few days, however most patients are able to resume their normal activities the next day. To optimize healing and strengthening, patients are prescribed physical therapy and encouraged to maintain a healthy diet to ensure a successful outcome.
Drs. Christopher J. Rogers and Mary A. Ambach of San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group together have successfully treated thousands of patients with regenerative therapies such as prolotherapy for more than three decades. They are published authors and cell therapy researchers. Their facility in Carlsbad contains the most advanced Regenerative Medicine technology in San Diego and offers same- day treatments with the highest level of safety and efficacy.