Prolotherapy is a corrective treatment for the causes of "chronic pain" due to damaged or stretched ligaments or tendons in the human body.  It tries to correct the problem, not just cover it up.

The treatment involves the injection of irritants into ligamentous structures in the neck, back or extremities.  This irritation causes an inflammatory reaction, leads to normal wound healing cascade, which ultimately results in deposition of new collagen at the injection site. Weakened structures are thus strengthened by the growth of new, strong ligament and tendon tissue and by that means, reduces pain.

Procedure of Prolotherapy:

Prolotherapy involves injecting small amounts of irritant solution into ligamentous structures that are painful and/or weak. This office uses several different types of irritant solutions, such as Dextrose(a sugar made from corn), Sodium Morruhate(extracts of cod liver oil), P2G(2.5% Phenol, 25% Glucose, 25% Glycerine), Pumice flour, or plasma QU(quinine urea). Prolotherapy does not involve steroid injections. In fact, steroids do opposite things from prolotherapy; they prevent or stop inflammation and can weaken tissue.

Prolotherapy has been shown in animal experiments to strengthen and thicken ligaments and the surface of bone where the ligaments attach. Studies have shown this to be an effective therapy in relieving chronic pain.

Frequency of Prolotherapy:

The numbers of injections to obtain relief vary considerably from patient to patient and injury to injury.  Some people are relieved totally with one injection, others require a series of injections which may total 15-20 sessions.  Generally, injections are done at intervals of 4-6 weeks.  However, individual cases may require more frequent injections initially. Generally if there is no pain relief after 3~4 injections, the therapy will not be pursued.

Complications Following Prolotherapy:

As with all medical procedures, prolotherapy does have some risk depending on the area being treated.  The doctor will discuss and explain these possibilties fully with the patient prior to prolotherapy treatment. 

Reimbursement Issue for Prolotherapy:

Most insurance companies do not cover prolotherapy treatment.  The patient is responsible for expenses of prolotherapy treatment.   

Contact us below if you would like to make an appointment or learn more about regenerative prolotherapy treatment. 

Kab S. Hong, M.D.,P.C.

1349 W. Cheltenham Avenue
Suite #201
Elkins Park, PA  19027

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