Prolotherapy

Treatment for Patients with Chronic Joint and Muscle Pain

Prolotherapy, short for “proliferative therapy” is a regenerative treatment designed for those struggling with chronic joint, ligament, tendon, or muscle pain.

Unlike temporary pain relievers or corticosteroid injections—which only mask symptoms—prolotherapy works to address the underlying cause of pain by encouraging the body to repair and strengthen weakened or damaged tissues.

The treatment involves injecting a natural solution, most often dextrose (a type of sugar), directly into the injured or painful area.

This solution acts as a mild irritant, which may sound counterintuitive, but the effect is intentional.

By triggering a small, controlled inflammatory response, prolotherapy signals the body’s natural healing mechanisms to “wake up” in the targeted area.

Prolotherapy may be a good option if you are:

  • Living with chronic joint, ligament, tendon, or muscle pain that hasn’t improved with rest, physical therapy, or medications.

  • Looking for a non-surgical solution to help strengthen and stabilize painful or unstable joints.

  • Hoping to reduce or eliminate your reliance on pain medications or repeated corticosteroid injections.

  • Dealing with conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendon or ligament injuries, or sports-related overuse injuries.

  • Interested in a treatment that works with your body’s natural healing process instead of just masking symptoms.

  • Prolotherapy may be especially beneficial for patients with:

    • Chronic joint pain (such as knees, shoulders, hips, or ankles)

    • Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis

    • Tendon and ligament injuries

    • Joint instability from past injuries

    • Sports-related overuse injuriesthe risks of transfusion.

    • Provides a non-surgical option for patients not ready or not eligible for surgery

    • Reduces reliance on pain medications or repeated corticosteroid injections

    • Promotes long-term healing by addressing the root cause of instability and pain

    • Injection Phase – The physician carefully injects the dextrose solution into the affected joint, ligament, or tendon. The procedure is typically quick and performed in an outpatient setting.

    • Localized Inflammatory Response – The solution creates a mild irritation that increases blood flow to the injured tissue.

    • Healing Cascade – With improved circulation comes a higher concentration of immune cells, growth factors, and collagen-producing cells at the injury site.

    • Tissue Repair & Strengthening – Over time, this process stimulates the formation of new, healthy connective tissue, helping to stabilize the joint, strengthen weakened structures, and reduce pain.

    • Gradual Improvement – While prolotherapy isn’t a one-time “quick fix,” most patients experience progressive improvement over a series of treatments, as the tissue continues to rebuild and strengthen with each session.

Illustration of two syringes and the text 'Cell Therapy' on a gray background.

Is Prolotherapy Right for you?

Because every patient’s condition is unique, the best way to know if prolotherapy is right for you is to schedule a consultation. Our team will carefully evaluate your medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals to determine if this regenerative therapy is the best path forward.

Contact Lowcountry Spine & Sport today to learn more and find out if prolotherapy is the right treatment for you.

843.208.2420