Prolotherapy for Arthritis
By divalounger
@divalounger (6182)
United States
November 18, 2015 1:55pm CST
I am wondering if anyone out there has used this type of therapy before.
It involves repeated injections of dextrose solution or other irritating substances into the joint, tendon, or painful tissue in order to provoke a regenerative tissue response. I have also begun seeing injections of a person's own stem cells, usually taken from one of the larger bones--
Our local Kaiser doesn't use it, but the more I look at it, the more inclined I am to try it--pros, cons?
6 people like this
9 responses
@chelseaearnsmore (208)
• United States
18 Nov 15
Unfortunately I don't have experience with this - I merely want to wish you the best of luck in deciding if it's right for you! I tend to do a lot of research before I decide anything big or small, so my best advice is see if there are any websites or forums featuring experiences (much like how you're asking everyone here) :) Maybe even YouTube would have something. The internet is chock full of info! I did a quick search of it myself and the procedure seems pretty innocuous, as far as invasive things go. That's my two cents, hope it helps :)
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
18 Nov 15
Thank you Chelsea. I also tend to do a lot of research before engaging in anything--it just seems like there should be other options in hip arthritis other than removal of the top of the femur and screwing in a titanium head
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
18 Nov 15
@chelseaearnsmore So interesting--about the change in elevation --I am losing weight--so help ease the stress on the joints--every 5 pounds really helps--so the first 5 are gone and I am on to the next 5--I do think there are many therapies that are just not main stream enough for western medicine--
1 person likes this
@chelseaearnsmore (208)
• United States
18 Nov 15
@divalounger You are absolutely right, there should be other options than major surgery like that! A lot of alternative medicine just isn't used by the US because doctors aren't willing to understand it.. however, there ARE plenty of doctors who do embrace it, so I'm betting you will be able to find something that works for you - maybe a combination of therapies? I'm unlearned in arthritis, but I've heard lifestyle changes (not just diet but as in moving house to a higher altitude) helps with the pain, which is what a friend of mine found out after he moved from the East Coast to the West in Washington state. Obviously moving isn't in most people's deck of cards, but my point is there are many things you can try to alleviate the pain before using surgery as a last resort. :)
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
18 Nov 15
I have never heard of it but i will be watching it now to keep my eye on anything anyone else writes here about it and how it worked for them..my knees are getting worse as i age..
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
18 Nov 15
I have bad hips and keep thinking that there must be something else other than major surgery
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
18 Nov 15
@divalounger I don't blame you cause to me surgery should be the last resort for anything..right now i'm doing the glucosamine pills and wonder when i will feel something..hahah..it has only been a week though so who knows..?
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169534)
• United States
19 Nov 15
@Rosekitty I think the glucosamine is supposed to take six weeks to kick in.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169534)
• United States
19 Nov 15
I have heard the term but that is about it. Of course the advice is always to find someone who is well experienced in the procedure.
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
19 Nov 15
There are certainly people around who do it--but I like to get the research done first and then talk to practioners about the procedure
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
20 Nov 15
I don't know enough about it to give a helpful response, but I hope it works for you.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
18 Nov 15
I think I'm living under a rock, I've never heard of it but it does sounds like it would work. Keep us posted on what you do.
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
19 Nov 15
I will. Thank you! I am trying to figure this out
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Feb 16
I have not heard of this either, but it does sound strange and interesting. (Hello Audrey, so nice to see you here!)
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
10 Feb 16
Hello James!! When I mentioned it to the doc at Kaiser he blipped right over it
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@UmiNoor (4521)
• Malaysia
20 Nov 15
That sounds quite an interesting treatment for arthritis. I have joint pain that has gone untreated for a few months now. It gets really painful in the morning but after that it's just mild pain that I can endure. I haven't heard of this treatment before. When I went to see my doctor, he just gave me painkillers.
@yukimori (10192)
• United States
18 Nov 15
The only real input I can give is regarding the injection process, because I've had somewhat similar procedures done. In my case, the injections have been to my sacroiliac joint. They use a local anesthetic and x-rays to find the joint and ensure the injection is being put into the proper spot.
The first round was extremely painful. It felt like liquid fire going into the joint, and was extremely sore the day after. Once the soreness faded, the relief was pretty much complete. It even helped more than expected, because it finally let me get that half of my pelvis back into place. (It was knocked out of alignment in a fender bender about four years ago.)
The second round hurt a lot less during the procedure, and I had less pain the day after. The relief didn't last as long, and I started being really sore around the 12th day after.
My third round hasn't been done yet... was supposed to be yesterday, but they were running late and I had to leave the office before I could go back.
I'm thinking that the prolotherapy might be a little more effective long-term than the injections I've been doing, since it's intended to provoke a healing response rather than just numb up the joint like the ones I've been doing.
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
18 Nov 15
I think when it works, it really works--there is some point in the arthritis process past which it won't work however--sounds like you have had a painful go of it! So sorry!
1 person likes this
@Pattitude (1286)
• Newton, North Carolina
21 Nov 15
Is this to prolong the need for surgery? I had 3 steroid shots but ended up getting the total knee replacement anyway.
