What is Prolotherapy?

Blue Mountains Podiatry offers prolotherapy to the local Springwood, Katoomba and Blaxland communities as well as the surrounding suburbs of; Glenbrook, Emu Plains, Lawson, Leura, Blaxland, Wentworth Falls, Katoomba, Blackheath and Penrith.

Prolotherapy is a safe, effective treatment which creates increased strength in ligaments, tendons and joints by making new connective tissue.

A glucose solution, mixed with a local anaesthetic is injected into the affected tissue or joint.

prolotherapy blue mountains
Prolotheraphy faulconbridge

How does it work?

Prolotherapy stimulates healing by triggering an inflammatory response by the body and creating new collagen formation, thereby strengthening and shortening ligaments and restoring effective ligament function.

What can it treat?

  • Achilles tendon injuries
  • Osteoarthritis of the foot, ankle and knee
  • Bunions and hammer toes
  • Sprained ankles

What is used in the prolotherapy technique?

A solution of local anaesthetic and glucose is combined. The solution is then injected to where the pain is coming from. The local anaesthetic provides pain relief. Then inflammation begins – and pain may occur and last about 2 days.

How many treatments do I need?

For tendon, ligament, and osteoarthritis pains 2-3 treatments is necessary. 5-6 treatments may be needed where neurological pain is present.

Should prolotherapy be used by itself?

The success of prolotherapy is greatly enhanced when used in combination with other treatments such as orthotics, correct footwear, and muscle stretching and strengthening.

What can I do to help?

Avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications. For pain relief use paracetamol. You can exercise immediately after or when pain has subsided. Exercise is necessary to re-educate correct muscle patterns, however exercise shouldn’t be painful.

Nutrients are very important to encourage good health and repair of ligaments and discs and bones and should be taken until three months after the end of treatment.

  • Vitamin C 1000 mg/day (makes strong connective tissue, helps healing).
  • Manganese (as chelate) 5-10mg/day. (essential for discs, cartilage).
  • Zinc 15-30mg/day (wound healing, important for new protein).

People who eat lots of vegetables, wholemeal bread, nuts and meat, fish, chicken and eggs will do better than those who eat lots of sweet foods and breakfast cereals and white bread and pasta.

Are the any risks involved?

There are risks associated with everything substance you put into your body. With any injection there is a very slight risk of infection, bruising or a reaction to the substance being injected such as the anaesthetic. There may be some minor soreness after the procedure for 24-48 hours. Care, expertise, and knowledge on the part of the practitioner treating can minimize any risk.

Why are ligaments so important to be treated?

Ligaments are vital for joint stability. If strained or loose, the joint slips and slides out of the track it was designed to follow, and the cartilage becomes worn causing osteoarthritis. Prolotherapy for worn joints (feet, ankles or knees) involves treatment of the ligaments around the joint and most often an injection into the joint, as it also stimulates regrowth of cartilage.

To make an appointment to see one of Blue Mountains Podiatry’s expert therapists call our Springwood Podiatry Clinic on 02 4751 7583, our Katoomba Podiatry Clinic on 02 4782 6169, our Blaxland Podiatry Clinic on 02 4702 0221

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