Prolotherapy Injections at The Injury Hub
Prolotherapy, short for “proliferation therapy,” is a regenerative injection technique designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, specifically in ligaments, tendons, and joint-supporting connective tissues. At The Injury Hub, we offer prolotherapy as an accessible and cost-effective alternative to more advanced biologics like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), particularly for chronic soft tissue injuries, joint instability, and low-grade ligament or tendon damage.
How Does Prolotherapy Work?
Prolotherapy involves the precise injection of an irritant solution, most commonly a hypertonic dextrose (sugar water) mixture, into targeted areas of weakened or degenerated connective tissue. At The Injury Hub, we use 15% dextrose diluted with saline, It can be combined with a small amount of local anaesthetic to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
The injected solution causes controlled local inflammation, triggering the body’s fibroblast activity, the cells responsible for collagen synthesis and tissue repair. This stimulation leads to a gradual strengthening and thickening of the affected tendons, ligaments, or joint capsules over a series of treatments. Over time, this may reduce micro-instability, improve tissue resilience, and decrease pain caused by laxity or repetitive strain.
Why Choose Prolotherapy?
While PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is often considered the more advanced option in regenerative medicine due to its concentration of growth factors, prolotherapy remains a proven, evidence-backed alternative. It offers meaningful results in selected patients, especially for mild to moderate ligament or tendon injuries, joint laxity, or chronic pain where other conservative treatments have failed.
Compared to PRP, prolotherapy is less complex, more cost-effective, and still delivers stimulating effects on tissue repair, particularly in areas with low blood supply, such as ligaments. For many patients, it offers a practical, accessible option to help restore tissue strength and stability — especially when used early in the course of chronic soft tissue injury.
Common Conditions We Treat with Prolotherapy
- Tennis Elbow / Golfer’s Elbow (lateral and medial epicondylitis)
- Ankle and Knee Ligament Sprains
- SI Joint and Spinal Ligament Instability
- Chronic Tendinopathy (Achilles, Patellar, Hamstring)
- Joint hypermobility or instability (especially in physically active patients)
Contraindications and Precautions
- Infection at or near the injection site
- Systemic infection or fever
- Known allergy to local anaesthetic or other components of the injectate
- Uncontrolled diabetes (dextrose load may affect blood sugar)
Post-Treatment Expectations
- Localised soreness, swelling, or aching is expected and generally resolves within a few days.
- Avoid NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen) post-treatment, as they may interfere with the desired inflammatory response.
- Gentle activity is encouraged, but avoid strenuous exercise for 48–72 hours after treatment.
FAQ’s
Is Prolotherapy Painful?
Mild discomfort may be felt during the injection, but we can use a local anaesthetic to make the process more comfortable. After the injection, it’s normal to experience soreness or stiffness lasting 24–72 hours, occasionally up to a week, due to the inflammatory response that stimulates healing.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Most patients respond well after 3-6 sessions, spaced 2-4 weeks apart. The number of sessions depends on the chronicity and severity of the issue as well as your body’s responsiveness to treatment.
How Is Prolotherapy Different from PRP?
PRP involves using your own blood platelets to deliver growth factors directly into the injured area, while prolotherapy relies on a chemical stimulus (dextrose) to trigger collagen repair. PRP is generally more potent and around three times more expensive, but prolotherapy can still offer excellent results for selected cases, particularly early-stage or milder injuries.