Prolo Therapy
Prolo Therapy
Prolotherapy, also known as nonsurgical ligament reconstruction, is an injection-based medical treatment for chronic pain and weak tendons and ligaments. “Prolo” is short for proliferation, because the treatment relieves pain and causes the proliferation (growth, formation) of new connective tissue in areas where it has become weak or damaged.
Prolotherapy treatment involves multiple injections of a collagen producing a mixture containing sterile dextrose, lidocaine and saline. The mixer is injected into damage or weaken ligaments and tendons which creates an inflammatory reaction that eventually attracts fibroblasts and creates new collagen formation. This results in a tightening of the tissues and stabilization of the injured area.
Prolotherapy treatments are typically done under light reversible sedation with very little recovery time.
In our practice the most commonly treated injury is cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury in dogs. Prolotherapy is most successful for milder or partial tears and is more successful in small dogs and cats. Other uses of prolotherapy include osteoarthritis (elbows, shoulders, stifles and hips) and biceps tendonitis.
In general, the minimum time between prolotherapy treatments is 4-6 weeks with this time frame being modified depending on the individual case. Anti-inflammatory medications or treatments are contraindicated during treatment as prolotherapy relies on producing local inflammation to produce its beneficial effects.
Prolotherapy treatments are typically done under light reversible sedation with very little recovery time.
In our practice the most commonly treated injury is cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury in dogs. Prolotherapy is most successful for milder or partial tears and is more successful in small dogs and cats. Other uses of prolotherapy include osteoarthritis (elbows, shoulders, stifles and hips) and biceps tendonitis.
In general, the minimum time between prolotherapy treatments is 4-6 weeks with this time frame being modified depending on the individual case. Anti-inflammatory medications or treatments are contraindicated during treatment as prolotherapy relies on producing local inflammation to produce its beneficial effects.