What Is Regenerative Medicine? | Mass General Brigham

Prolotherapy injections

Sports medicine specialists use prolotherapy injections to address connective tissue injuries. Research on prolotherapy highlights its potential to reduce pain from early to moderate osteoarthritis, sacroiliac (SI) joint ligaments, and tendinopathy.

Prolotherapy injects a solution made of specific concentrations of dextrose (sugar water), saline (salt and water), and a numbing medication into damaged tissue. Studies have shown the dextrose concentrate itself can stimulate the release of growth factors, explains Dr. Borg Stein. It can also cause some temporary inflammation in the area, which is intended to help kickstart a healing process that may have stalled."

Like all injection therapies, prolotherapy uses a special needling technique during the injection with the goal of increasing your bodys healing response.

Both prolotherapy and extracorporeal shockwave therapy are attractive treatment options when taking time off isnt in the playbook. We often do these treatments with athletes who are in season, sometimes in combination with each other, says Dr. Borg Stein. In most cases, theres really little to no downtime.

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What Is Regenerative Medicine? | Mass General Brigham