Osteoarthritis is a common condition that can make everyday activities painful and difficult. As the cartilage in your joints wears down, you may experience stiffness, discomfort, and limited movement. While traditional treatments like pain medication or surgery are available, prolotherapy offers a different approach. This non-surgical treatment helps your body repair damaged tissue, providing relief from the pain and improving joint function. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we specialize in using prolotherapy to help our patients manage osteoarthritis and regain their quality of life.
What Is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is a non-surgical treatment that stimulates the body’s natural healing process to repair damaged or weakened tissues. During the procedure, we inject a solution—usually containing a dextrose or saline mixture—directly into the affected joint or tissue. These injections trigger a mild, controlled inflammation, which encourages your body to produce new collagen and strengthen the area.
Prolotherapy is especially helpful for conditions like osteoarthritis because it can improve joint stability, reduce pain, and enhance mobility without the need for surgery. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we tailor prolotherapy treatments to each patient, focusing on restoring function and relieving discomfort in a minimally invasive way.
How Prolotherapy Helps Osteoarthritis
Prolotherapy helps osteoarthritis by encouraging your body to repair and regenerate damaged joint tissues. In osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage in your joints breaks down, leading to pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Prolotherapy injections stimulate a healing response in the joint, promoting the production of new collagen and other connective tissues. This process can strengthen the ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint, improving its stability and function.
As the joint becomes stronger and more stable, many patients experience significant pain relief and increased mobility. Prolotherapy is also a great option for those looking to reduce their reliance on pain medications or delay, and possibly avoid, surgery. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we’ve seen how this treatment can improve the quality of life for osteoarthritis patients, offering a non-invasive way to manage symptoms and restore function.
What to Expect During Prolotherapy
During a prolotherapy session, you can expect a straightforward, in-office procedure. We carefully inject a solution, typically containing dextrose or saline, into the affected joint or surrounding tissue. The number of injections depends on the size and condition of the joint being treated. Most sessions last about 30-45 minutes, and while you may feel some discomfort from the injections, it’s generally mild and short-lived.
After the treatment, you might experience some soreness in the area, which is a normal part of the healing process. Recovery time is minimal, and most patients return to their normal activities shortly after. Multiple sessions are often recommended to achieve optimal results, typically spaced a few weeks apart.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is a great option for many osteoarthritis patients, especially those looking for non-surgical treatments to relieve pain and improve joint function. You may be a good candidate if you have mild to moderate osteoarthritis and want to reduce your reliance on medications or delay surgery. Prolotherapy is generally safe for most people, but it may not be suitable for those with certain health conditions, such as infections or autoimmune disorders. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we’ll evaluate your condition to determine if prolotherapy is the right fit for your needs.
Is Prolotherapy a Good Treatment Option for Your Osteoarthritis?
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we are committed to providing personalized prolotherapy treatments that help relieve your osteoarthritis pain and improve joint function. Our experienced team will work with you to develop a tailored plan that addresses your specific needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore your options.