Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection technique that uses a targeted, hypertonic dextrose solution to stimulate your body’s healing response in painful ligaments, tendons, and joints. By creating a controlled micro‑inflammatory signal, it encourages new collagen formation and tissue remodeling to improve stability and reduce pain—especially in areas of chronic strain or laxity.
Diagnostic Process: Align exam findings with diagnostic imaging to ensure an accurate diagnosis and characterization of your pain source.
Injection: A small amount of dextrose solution (often mixed with local anesthetic) is placed at the painful enthesis and supporting tissues.
Biologic effect: A dextrose solution, combined with a local anesthetic, is injected into the ligament, tendon or joint space. This initiates a healing cascade—including fibroblast activation, collagen synthesis, and neuromodulation—effectively strengthening weakened structures and providing sustained pain relief.
Return to Sport: Unlike other biologic treatments—such as PRP and BMAC—prolotherapy involves minimal downtime, making it an ideal intervention for in-season athletes.
Hip & Pelvis: Tendinopathy involving the proximal hamstrings, hip flexors, adductors, and gluteal muscle groups; SI joint pain and associated ligamentous laxity.
Indications include: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint sprains, subacromial bursitis, capsuloligamentous laxity, and select cases of mild rotator cuff and biceps tendinopathy.
Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow), medial epicondylitis (Golfer’s elbow), and ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprains.
Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprains (e.g., Gamekeeper’s or Skier’s thumb), wrist and hand tendinopathies, and select TFCC-related instability.
Ankle and midfoot ligamentous instability and sprains (ATFL/CFL/PTFL/Deltoid); plantar fasciosis; Morton’s neuroma; and various tendinopathies (Achilles, Peroneal, and Posterior Tibialis).
MCL/LCL sprains, generalized ligamentous laxity, various tendinopthies (patellar, quadriceps, hamstrings, and IT band insertion), and early osteoarthritis symptoms
Sessions
Typically 2–3 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart; each visit lasts about 20–30 minutes.
Sensation
The injection may cause temporary pressure or burning. Expect immediate relief from the anesthetic, followed by potential mild soreness and swelling for 24–72 hours.
Post-Treatment Recovery
While mild soreness or swelling at the injection site is common for a few days, some patients may experience a temporary flare of pain lasting up to two weeks. Our team is here to guide your recovery with a personalized physical therapy plan and a quick return to your favorite activities.
Activity Protocol
1–3 days of relative rest, followed by guided rehabilitation. Minimal downtime expected.
Results
While many patients notice a difference in 2–4 weeks, the full benefits of prolotherapy build progressively over the entire series. Results are individualized and vary by condition.
Safety
Prolotherapy is a very safe treatment. While most patients experience only mild, temporary side effects—such as soreness, bruising, or swelling—rare complications including allergic reactions, infection, nerve injury or tendon injury, and localized pain.
Potential risks
Not appropriate with active infection, uncontrolled bleeding disorders/anticoagulation, allergy to injectable components, or when a complete tear or gross instability requires surgical repair. If you have diabetes, we’ll review glucose control, as small transient elevations can occur.
We’ll review your history, imaging, goals, and prior treatments to determine whether prolotherapy is the most appropriate procedure for your condition.
What to know more about our evidence based approach? Explore the links below for more information.
We deliver nonsurgical orthopedic treatments, advanced diagnostics, and personalized recovery plans that restore function and optimize performance.
We deliver nonsurgical orthopedic treatments, advanced diagnostics, and personalized recovery plans that restore function and optimize performance.
We deliver nonsurgical orthopedic treatments, advanced diagnostics, and personalized recovery plans that restore function and optimize performance.
We deliver nonsurgical orthopedic treatments, advanced diagnostics, and personalized recovery plans that restore function and optimize performance.
Schedule a consultation to explore non-surgical treatment options that align with your active lifestyle.
