Prolotherapy, Where Does It Stand Today?

Prolotherapy is a somewhat controversial intervention for a variety of musculoskeletal complaints. The treatment consists of a series of injections of an irritant, usually a dextrose based compound, into painful soft tissues. In theory the injection begins a controlled inflammatory response. This in turn causes connective tissue growth and collagen tissue formation resulting in a more stable, less painful joint or strengthened tendons or ligaments. Chronic low back pain, knee and hand osteoarthritis, lateral epicondylosis, Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, to name a few, have been reported in the scientific literature as conditions for which prolotherapy has been utilized.