Prolotherapy

A non-surgical orthopedic injection treatment

What is Prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a “pro-inflammatory” injection treatment that encourages regenerative tissue growth.  There are several different types of Prolotherapy including Traditional Prolotherapy, PRP and Stem-Cell Prolotherapy.  

Dr. Keene practices Traditional Prolotherapy which uses the active ingredient dextrose – a form of sugar – to promote inflammation.  Saline and lidocaine are also used.

 

How does Prolotherapy work?

Prolotherapy injections trigger inflammation at specific sites.  This inflammation essentially tricks the body into believing it has suffered an injury and therefore activates the body’s natural healing abilities.  

 

Just as the body regenerates skin when it gets a cut or scrape, Prolotherapy injections spur the body to “regenerate” or create new connective tissue.  This new tissue stabilizes joints, strengthens muscular connections and decreases both acute and chronic pain, all without surgery.

 

“Dr. Keene: gentle, informative…  had Prolotherapy on my knee, he is brilliant, answered every question, he is funny…   I feel humbled that he is here in Santa Cruz for all of us!!!”

– Robert W.

What are the benefits of Prolotherapy?

• Prolotherapy treats and alleviates chronic pain, joint laxity, and many other musculoskeletal issues without the risks or long recovery time of surgery.  
• Between treatments patients are able to exercise and maintain activity.
• There is no recovery time.  Patients can continue to work and participate in all regular activity.
• Compared with pricey MRIs and surgery, Prolotherapy is extremely cost effective.
• Patients typically notice improvement with their symptoms within the first month or two of treatment.
• Prolotherapy heals pain and discomfort at the source ultimately strengthening the body.

Like to get into the research?  Read a large case study review here.

How long has Prolotherapy been used as a treatment?

Some of the earliest forms of Prolotherapy were documented around 1350BC by the Egyptians who used it to heal livestock.  In humans it was first documented in 400 BC by Hippocrates who used it to heal a dislocated shoulder.  

Prolotherapy became a common treatment tool about 100 years ago when a group of surgeons found that when injections were made near damaged muscles, tendons and ligaments, new tissue grew. Read the full story.

How long is the healing process?

Post treatment, the treated area will feel sore as if it has been re-injured again.  The soreness will subside within about a week and as soon as a couple days.

Tissue growth takes time.  A full treatment sequence is typically 2-4 appointments over the course of a few months.  Following a treatment  three stages of healing occur:

1. Stage One – The tissue matrix develops (4-6 weeks duration).  The extracellular matrix (EMC) is the foundation necessary for tissue regrowth.  Learn more.
2. Stage Two – Fibroblast activity (4-6 months duration).  A fibroblast is a type of cell that predominantly composes connective tissue.  Fibroblast cells provide the framework critical to wound healing and cell regrowth.  Learn more.
3. Stage Three – Connective tissue matures (1-2 years duration).  The connective tissue matures and provides new stability and strength to the treated area.

What conditions are commonly improved by Prolotherapy?

• Back and neck pain
• Herniated / degenerated discs
• Shoulder pain
• Rotator cuff tears
• Knee pain (Learn more)
• Elbow pain
• Hand / wrist / finger pain
• Ankle / foot / toe pain
• Plantar Fascitis (Read the Research 2019) (Read the Research 2015)
• Joint laxity / hyper-mobility
• Tendonitis
• Sports injuries
• Ligament sprains and tears
• Myofascial pain
• Early osteoarthritis
• And more…

What will my treatment plan look like?

The first appointment is a Prolotherapy Consultation/Evaluation.  During the consultation Dr. Keene will complete a detailed examination, create a treatment plan according to your needs and answer any question you might have.  Each Prolotherapy treatment plan is unique.  Sometimes only one area needs to be treated and other times, multiple areas.  

 

Prolotherapy treatment appointments range from 30-60 minutes per body area.  A full treatment sequence is typically 2-4 sessions per body area.  Spacing of appointments vary, but are typically spaced about a month apart.