Prolotherapy is a procedure that injects a solution (usually hypertonic) into a ligament. This injection intentionally damages the ligament. The theory behind prolotherapy is that by injuring the ligament a repair process begins. Through this process of healing, scar tissue will form and tighten the ligament.

Ligaments act like a rubber bands that stabilizes a joint. Sometimes the ligaments loosen because of injury or are naturally (genetically) loose. Loose ligaments wear out joints faster because of more stressful movement across the joint. Tight ligaments hold the joint together with enough stability to protect it.

Chronically dislocating joints can do quite well with prolotherapy. Without examining you, I cannot comment about whether or not prolotherapy is right for you. Personally, I would not be standing in line to have ligaments intentionally injured without a second opinion and it would be my last resort. My understanding, from other patients, is that prolotherapy is very painful because it damages ligaments. In turn, the pain last for as long as it takes the ligaments to heal.

Thanks for the great question.

Dr. Christina Lasich, MD