Injectable Therapy (Part 1 of 2): Prolotherapy, PRP, and Cortisone

What are my options?

Prolotherapy:

Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection therapy. It provides an alternative, non-surgical solution for those experiencing chronic pain or musculoskeletal complaints. It consists of injecting a dextrose solution into the damaged tissues thereby stimulating an immune response allowing for new tissue growth and strengthening. There are many scientific studies highlighting the benefits that prolotherapy has on reducing pain scores in those experiencing chronic pain² and for those living with fibromyalgia⁴.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP):

PRP is a regenerative therapy that is used to treat chronic and acute injuries of tendons, ligaments, and muscles. PRP injections are derived from the body’s platelets, growth factors, and stem cells and stimulate the body’s innate ability to heal itself³. PRP is commonly used for degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis and chronic joint pain. PRP reduces pain scores and provides a degree of protection for the remaining joint cartilage³.

Cortisone injections:

This is the most widely known of the injectable pain therapies. Cortisone injection treatments provide a potent anti-inflammatory effect which reduces the experience of musculoskeletal pain. This injection therapy can assist in the treatment of joints, tendons, muscles, and fascia. Commonly treated conditions include: arthritis, synovitis, bursitis, tendonitis, and fasciitis. Corticosteroid injections provide a quick resolution of pain while considering adjunct treatment options to address the direct cause of the pain.

Check out the next article in this series (Article # 2) where we cover Hyaluronic Acid, Perineural Injections, & Trigger Point Injections.

References

1. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-      bodies/canadian-pain-task-force/report-2021.html

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33348947/

3. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-83025-2

4. https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/113/Supplement_1/hcaa064.008/5829461