Chronic joint, tendon, and ligament pain can make everyday activities difficult and may limit your ability to stay active. Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection treatment that is designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing response and may help reduce pain while improving stability and function. At Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin, our specialists evaluate each patient’s condition and goals to determine whether prolotherapy may be an appropriate treatment option as part of a comprehensive care plan.
What Is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is an injection-based treatment that involves placing a specialized solution into injured or weakened ligaments, tendons, or joints. The goal is to promote a localized healing response that may strengthen tissues and improve function over time.
How Prolotherapy Works
Prolotherapy is intended to stimulate the body’s natural repair processes in areas affected by chronic injury or instability. Treatment is often combined with rehabilitation and strengthening programs to optimize results.
Conditions Commonly Treated with Prolotherapy
Chronic Ligament Injuries
Ligament injuries that have failed to heal completely may contribute to ongoing pain and instability.
Tendon Disorders
Prolotherapy may be considered for certain chronic tendon conditions, including:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Patellar tendinopathy
Joint Pain
Patients with mild to moderate joint pain may be candidates for prolotherapy as part of a non-surgical treatment plan.
Sports and Overuse Injuries
Athletes and active individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain may benefit from further evaluation.
What to Expect During Treatment
Initial Evaluation
Your provider will review your symptoms, medical history, and previous treatments before determining whether prolotherapy is appropriate.
The Procedure
The treatment is performed in an outpatient setting and typically takes only a short time to complete.
Recovery
Patients may experience temporary soreness following treatment. Activity recommendations and rehabilitation plans vary based on the condition being treated.
Benefits of Prolotherapy
Potential Advantages
- Non-surgical treatment option
- Minimal downtime
- May improve joint stability
- May reduce chronic pain
- Can be combined with physical therapy and other conservative treatments
Is Prolotherapy Right for You?
Not every patient or condition is an ideal candidate for prolotherapy. Our specialists carefully evaluate each patient to determine the most appropriate treatment approach based on symptoms, diagnosis, activity level, and treatment goals.
