Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy (Proliferation Therapy) is a non-surgical treatment that can help relieve chronic pain by stimulating the body's natural healing process. It is a method of regenerative injection therapy designed to stimulate healing in injured parts of your body that may be slow to heal or may not have healed completely.

Our team of experienced sports podiatrists is dedicated to providing personalized care to each patient, ensuring you receive the best possible treatment for your needs. Whether you have been dealing with foot and ankle pain for years or are experiencing a recent injury, we are here to help.

How Does Prolotherapy Work?

Prolotherapy is a safe injection therapy that involves injecting a concentrated 5% dextrose and Lidocaine (local anasesthetic) solution into the affected area, which triggers the body's inflammatory response. This inflammation, in turn, activates the body's natural healing process, which helps to repair damaged ligaments and tendons by making new connective tissue and thus reducing pain. The injected solution works by irritating the tissues, causing them to become inflamed. This inflammation then triggers the body's natural healing mechanisms, which include the production of new collagen and other connective tissues and an increase in blood flow to the affected area.

Prolotherapy is particularly effective for treating chronic pain, such as that caused by plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and other foot and ankle conditions. Unlike many other treatments, prolotherapy does not simply mask the pain with medication. Instead, it addresses the underlying cause of the pain by promoting the body's natural healing process.

Common conditions treated with Prolotherapy:

  • Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain

  • Plantar Fascia Tears

  • Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

  • Achilles Tendonitis / Tendinopathy

  • Shin Splints / Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

  • Chronic Ankle Sprains

Assessing knee angles to assess why this patient struggles with patellafemoral syndrome
Johan performing a biomechanical Assessment

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FAQs

  • A thorough history and palpation of pain around the area of injury will determine the injection site/s. Prolotherapy is an injection of dextrose/glucose and lignocaine (local anaesthetic). The local anesthetic in the solution takes effect immediately, relieving pain for a short duration. The glucose solution injected then causes the body’s own inflammation process to begin and start the healing process.

  • Initially, four appointments placed two weeks apart are usually required. Depending on the individual case, maintenance appointments may be required three to six months apart (for midfoot arthritis, for example).

    Improvement in symptoms usually occurs after 1-3 treatments.

  • Steroid injections only address inflammation. Steroid injections weaken ligaments and tendons and delay bone healing, whereas prolotherapy strengthens soft tissue and assists tissue repair; hence, prolotherapy is a form of regenerative medicine.

  • Some patients may experience dull pain and soreness at the site of injection for 1-3 days after. It is recommended to avoid strenuous exercise for 2 days post-injection. However, it is important to engage in non-painful activities and gentle exercises such as stretching, as it helps in the healing of ligaments or tendons. Therefore, it is advised to use common sense and pain levels to guide you in your daily activities and exercise routine.

    Avoid using ice over the affected area whilst having prolotherapy treatment.

    You should also try to avoid Anti-Inflammatory medications and topical treatments as they may interfere with the inflammation and healing process.