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THE
HEALING POWERS OF PROLOTHERAPY
Vladimir Djuric, M.D.
My rather shocking introduction to prolotherapy was during a fellowship in New
Orleans in 1994. Dr. Doyle was a septuagenarian solo practitioner with flair. If
her high-pitched voice, Irish accent and up-tempo pace were not enough to get
your attention, her style of medicine certainly would. She was the person to see
for a variety of chronic painful conditions and prolotherapy was her secret
weapon. Although she had mentioned the term on several occasions, the reality of
it failed to register until I actually observed the procedure myself. The
patient on the other side of the needle was both eager and apprehensive. I soon
discovered why. Prolotherapy is not for the faint-hearted.
The term "prolotherapy" was coined by George S. Hackett, an industrial
surgeon practicing in Canton, Ohio in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Prolo is
short for proliferate; ergo: proliferant therapy or prolotherapy. The treatment
involves injection of a pro-inflammatory solution into damaged ligaments and
tendons; the connective tissue usually injured during trauma or repetitive
motion. This induced inflammation stimulates fibroblast proliferation and
collagen synthesis. Collagen, being the chief building block of connective
tissue, is necessary for any tissue repair to occur. The goal of the treatment
is to stimulate the body to repair itself. Since inflammation is the first step
in the healing cascade, injection of an irritant solution gets the process
started. An injury-repair sequence is triggered in which the end product is
stronger ligaments and tendons and tighter joints.
Various forms of this treatment have been in existence for centuries. Stronger
"sclerosing" solutions have been used to treat everything from hernias to
varicose veins. What distinguishes prolotherapy are it's relatively mild
sclerosing properties and its multitude of applications. It is an effective
treatment for everything from tension headaches and TMJ syndrome to ankle
sprains and heel spurs. The most popular solution currently in use is dextrose
(sugar water) mixed with local anesthetic. The injections are usually performed
at 2-6 weeks intervals with the idea that a cumulative effect will ultimately be
achieved. Each simulated "injury" will lead to additional collagen
synthesis, thus stronger, tougher ligaments and tendons. Typically 4-6 such
treatments are necessary. Both human and animal studies have confirmed.
Introduction to Prolotherapy
Why Get Prolotherapy? Donna Alderman, D.O.
What is Prolotherapy?
Alvin
Stein, M.D.
Introduction to Prolotherapy
Ross
Hauser, M.D.
How
Safe Is Prolotherapy? Ross
Hauser, M.D.
The
Importance of an Experienced Prolotherapist Ross
Hauser, M.D.
Non-Surgical
Tendon, Ligament and Joint Reconstruction William J. Faber, D.O.
How Does Prolotherapy Work? Marc
Darrow, M.D.
When Prolotherapy May Not Work David Harris, M.D.
Twenty
Common Questions About Prolotherapy
David
Harris, M.D.
The History of Prolotherapy Ross
Hauser, M.D.
Curing Chronic Pain with Prolotherapy Scott
Greenberg, M.D.
Why So Many Turn To Prolotherapy
David Harris, M.D.
Prolotherapy
and Chronic Pain Ross Hauser, M.D.
Peripheral Joints
& Prolotherapy
Jay W. Nielsen, M.D.
Orthopedic Medicine: A
Non-Surgical Approach to Chronic Pain Lawrence
Cohen, M.D.
The Difference
Between Prolotherapy, Trigger Points, and Acupuncture Marc Darrow,
M.D.J.D.
Prolotherapy: Creating
Inflammation in an Area that is Already Inflamed Marc Darrow,
M.D.J.D.
Growth Factor Basis of
Prolotherapy
David Harris, M.D.
What
Does It Take To Heal Connective Tissue?
Dave
Harris, M.D.
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