Prolotherapy as an Alternative To Surgery in These Ten Conditions
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Ross Hauser, M.D.
KNEE DEGENERATION
If you have reasonable range of motion (at least 50% of normal), then you have a great chance of responding to Prolotherapy. Typically three to ten sessions are needed. The amount of sessions depends a lot on the extent of the arthritis. In many cases Prolotherapy is a great alternative, however in knee degeneration sometimes surgery is your only option.
MENISCAL TEAR
Menisci are tissues that help cushion the knee. When damaged, they do not repair well so surgeons will often tell patients that surgery is the only option. For the vast majority of meniscal tears, Prolotherapy works great. Also the person can train while getting Prolotherapy. This is another advantage especially for the athlete.
MORTON’S NEUROMA
I have treated a lot of ‘morton neuroma’ patients and had great success with eliminating the pain with Prolotherapy. Typically these patients have a ‘dropped metatarsal head’ from a ligament injury. Prolotherapy to the ligament helps strengthen the area and the pain diminishes. While the person is getting Prolotherapy I have them wear Yogi Toes This is a device that spreads their toes, so the nerve has more room. Eventually the nerve feels fine and so does their foot!
ROTATOR CUFF TEAR
If a person has a Rotator Cuff tear as the primary pathology in their shoulder, Prolotherapy generally works great. If the tear occurred because of a big bone spur in the acromioclavicular joint then shaving the bone spur with arthroscopy may be needed. Rotator cuff problems are one of the most common conditions treated successfully with Prolotherapy.
LUMBAR DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE
Lumbago or low back pain is still the most common pain experienced by people. Modern orthopedics is still trying to find an operation that works. The latest and greatest is disc replacement. Prolotherapy to the lower back is the most common procedure I have done the last 14 years. Most low back pain is from the sacroiliac joint and not the lumbar degenerative discs. Most people have degenerated discs and have no back pain. That is why it is a second opinion should be sought.
‘CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY’
Prolotherapy is great at curing ‘cervical radiculopathy’. I put in the ‘’’s because most people who have been told they cervical radiculopathy have no pinched nerves in their neck. Not every pain radiating down the arm means a pinched nerve in the neck. It can be a ligament referral pain from the elbow, shoulder, neck, or thoracic area. If it is from a ligament problem, then Prolotherapy works great. A sign that it is a ligament problem is when the person has a ‘numb’ feeling in the arm, hand, or fingers but sensation sense is fine. This is called numbiness and characteristic of a ligament problem.
‘CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME’
There are many cases of people diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome who responded great with Prolotherapy to the elbow. The ligaments around the elbows refer pain into the fingers. The person can also have a numb sensation in the fingers also with ligament problems. I talk about this in the books my wife and I have written on Prolotherapy (Prolo Your Pain Away! And Prolo Your Sports Injuries Away! So if the surgeon wants to ‘unpinch’ the nerve in your wrist, consider getting a second opinion from a Prolotherapist.
OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE ANKLE
Ankle Fusion is no fun. Prolotherapy isn’t that much fun. Getting better with Prolotherapy and exercise for extensive arthritis in the ankle is a long process but the patients I have seen prefer that to having the ankle fused
ULNAR COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY IN THE ELBOW
Surgery to the elbow is basically the norm for pitchers. A better alternative with a way less down time is Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy works great for pitcher’s elbow. This is injury to the ulnar collateral ligament. The athlete loves Prolotherapy versus surgery because one can workout while getting Prolotherapy
DEGENERATIVE HIP ARTHRITIS
People often wait too long to see a Prolotherapist with this condition. It is important if the doctor says you have the beginnings of hip arthritis, seek out the attention of a Prolotherapist. If you wait too long to see one you will end up getting a hip replacement. What would you rather have? Some Prolotherapy now with some exercises and supplements to help your hip get stronger or slow degeneration of your hip until you are disabled and need a hip replacement? Are you really so sure you will recover 100% with surgery?
Yes Prolotherapy does give the surgical candidate options. Prolotherapy is not always the best option but then again neither is surgery. Each has its role. For most folks getting an evaluation by a Prolotherapist before undergoing the knife treatment makes a lot of sense. It could save them the operation all together!
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