Tendonitis can make even simple daily tasks frustrating, whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior, or just trying to keep up with life’s demands. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we’re here to help with prolotherapy, a treatment that’s helped many people find relief.
Understanding Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, the thick, fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone. This condition can occur in any tendon in the body but is most commonly seen in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels. Tendonitis typically results from repetitive stress, overuse, or sudden injury. Some of the most common types include:
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Often associated with repetitive wrist and arm motions.
- Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Affects the tendons inside the elbow.
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis: Involves inflammation of the shoulder tendons.
- Achilles Tendonitis: Affects the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel.
- Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee): Common in athletes who engage in jumping sports.
Tendonitis pain can range from mild to severe. It is often accompanied by swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving the affected area. Left untreated, chronic tendonitis can lead to more significant damage or degeneration of the tendon tissue, known as tendinosis.
What Causes Tendonitis?
The causes of tendonitis vary, but some of the most common include:
- Repeating the Same Motion: Whether typing away on your keyboard, painting a masterpiece, or playing your favorite sport, doing the same movements over and over can take a toll on your tendons.
- Pushing Too Hard, Too Fast: Jumping into a workout routine or heavy lifting without easing into it can overwhelm your tendons and strain them.
- Getting Older: As we age, tendons naturally lose some strength and flexibility, making injuries more likely.
- Poor Posture or Technique: Misalignment during activities can place undue stress on tendons.
- Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis can increase susceptibility to tendon issues.
While rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers may temporarily alleviate symptoms, they often fail to address the root cause or provide long-term relief. That’s where prolotherapy comes in.
What Is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy, short for proliferative therapy, is a regenerative treatment designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. This minimally invasive procedure involves injecting a solution—usually composed of dextrose (a type of sugar) and a local anesthetic—into the damaged or inflamed area. The goal is to trigger a mild, controlled inflammatory response that encourages the repair and strengthening of the affected tissues, including tendons.
How Does Prolotherapy Work?
When a tendon is injured or overused, the body attempts to repair the damage. However, in some cases, the healing process is incomplete or insufficient, leaving the tissue weak and prone to further irritation. Prolotherapy helps to “restart” the healing process by:
- Stimulating Cellular Repair: The injected solution irritates the targeted area, prompting the body to send growth factors, platelets, and other healing agents to the site.
- Strengthening Tendons and Ligaments: Prolotherapy encourages new collagen production, helping to restore strength and flexibility to damaged tissues.
- Reducing Pain: Pain diminishes naturally as the treated area heals and stabilizes.
The treatment typically involves multiple sessions spaced a few weeks apart, depending on the severity of the condition and the patient’s response to therapy.
Benefits of Prolotherapy for Tendonitis
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we’ve seen how life-changing prolotherapy can be for our patients. Here’s why it’s worth considering:
- No Surgery Needed: Prolotherapy is a non-invasive alternative that skips the stress, downtime, and cost of surgery.
- Gets to the Root of the Problem: Instead of concealing the pain, prolotherapy treats the actual cause, helping the body heal for the long term.
- Personalized for You: Every treatment plan is tailored to your unique needs, so you receive care that targets exactly what’s bothering you.
- Low Risk, Big Reward: Since prolotherapy uses natural substances to encourage healing, the chance of side effects is slim.
- Better Movement, Less Pain: Stronger tendons mean you can move better, feel more stable, and get back to doing what you love.
Who Can Benefit From Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is an excellent option for many individuals dealing with tendonitis, especially those who:
- Have not found relief with traditional treatments like physical therapy or medications
- Want to avoid or postpone surgery
- Are looking for a natural way to enhance healing and reduce pain
It’s also suitable for individuals with chronic tendon pain, as well as those recovering from sports injuries or other repetitive stress conditions.
What to Expect During Prolotherapy Treatment
If you’re considering prolotherapy, here’s what you can expect during your visits to Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine:
- Your First Visit: We’ll evaluate your condition thoroughly, confirm the diagnosis, and determine whether prolotherapy is right for you.
- How It Works: During the treatment, we’ll carefully inject the prolotherapy solution into the problem area, using advanced imaging like ultrasound to make sure everything is precise.
- Post-Treatment Care: While mild discomfort may occur after the injection, most patients can resume normal activities within a day or two. Over time, as the tendon heals, pain and stiffness will decrease.
Why Choose Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine?
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, our goal is simple: to help you feel better and get back to doing what you love. We use the most effective, modern treatments for musculoskeletal conditions, including prolotherapy. Here’s why so many patients choose us:
- We Know Our Stuff: Our doctors specialize in regenerative medicine and have years of experience treating tendonitis and similar conditions.
- It’s All About You: We don’t just treat your symptoms—we take the time to understand your needs and create a plan that fits your life and goals.
- More Than One Option: Along with prolotherapy, we offer physical therapy, acupuncture, and other non-surgical treatments to give you a full range of care.
Take the First Step Toward Pain Relief
Tendonitis doesn’t have to dictate your life. With prolotherapy, you can find relief, regain strength, and return to doing what you love. Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine is here to help if you’re ready to explore this innovative treatment option.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how prolotherapy can benefit you. Contact us online or call us to get started.