What is Prolotherapy/ Regenerative Joint Therapy (RJT)? Prolotherapy / RJT is an injection technique used to treat acute and chronic, musculoskeletal pain. It works by stimulating the body’s own healing process to repair injured or weakened tissues. New fibrous tissue is created resulting in strengthening of the effected area. What is contained in the injections? Most commonly, the procedure involves the injection of a dextrose solution and an anesthetic that is safe and natural.  However, Dr. Stallone will tailor the selection of injection substance according to the patient’s needs by including homeopathic medicines, amino acids, vitamins and other natural / safe substances.

How do the injections work?  This solution causes irritation and slight inflammation of the tissues. Your body naturally responds to this by mounting a repair process at that site, encouraging growth of new ligament or tendon fibers, resulting in a strengthening of the weakened structure. Additional treatments repair this process allowing a gradual buildup of tissue to restore the original strength to the area.

What determines a patient’s response to Prolotherapy?  Each patient must be evaluated thoroughly before treatment can be administered. Success with Prolotherapy depends on factors such as extent of trauma and damage to the effected area and the patients’ overall health and ability to heal.

Which conditions are usually treated?  Pain in the extremities, like shoulder, knee, elbow and ankle, as well as, some forms of chronic headache. Also, joint dislocation, TMJ dysfunction, heel spurs, tennis elbow, arthritis, & disc problems.
How many injections are needed? Typically, four to six. Each session is usually spaced two to six weeks apart.

How painful are the injections? Patients who have suffered with chronic pain problems find that the discomfort of the injections, while not pleasant, is entirely bearable. The mild discomfort passes fairly rapidly and can be reduced with ice and homeopathic remedies. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, should not be used for pain relief post-injection because their action suppresses the desired inflammatory process produced by the injection.

When will I see benefits? About one-third of patients experience benefits immediately, then gradually improve with each successive visit. Most patients experience relief after multiple injections.

What are my chances of improvement? Greater than 82% of people treated experience good or excellent results.
Can I return to work or activities the same day?  Many people do return to work or normal activities the same day as treatment.

Will this treatment work for migraines?  Migraine headaches may be caused by ligament injuries to the neck. This same injury can also be the cause of other symptoms including pain reaching almost any part of the head and neck, visual blurring, dizziness, ringing in the ears, loss of balance, and other symptoms. A physiatrist can accurately determine whether these symptoms are caused by ligament injury and other factors. Migraines caused by ligament injury can be effectively treated with Prolotherapy.

What about "sciata" pain?  The most common cause of pain radiating down the legs is not "sciatica" or sciatic nerve injury, but a weakness or injury to the ligaments that support the pelvic joint. Prolotherapy can effectively treat this radiating or “referred” pain.

How many treatments are required?  The number of treatments varies with each patient. Many patients report partial or complete relief of pain after only one session. Patients with a healthy immune system generally require fewer treatments. The average person requires 4 to 6 treatment sessions given at 2 to 6 week intervals.

Is Prolotherapy safe?  Prolotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. Of course there are slight risks involved in any medical procedure.  However, the risks are far less than taking aspirin or Motrin for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. In Prolotherapy, the risks and side effects will vary depending on the area being treated, and Dr. Stallone will discuss these possibilities fully with the patient during the pre-treatment consultation.

Are there any side effects? Some bruising and a feeling of stiffness or soreness around the injection site are routine. Some patients report numbness over the injection site and occasionally tingling or itching. These symptoms are temporary.
Will my insurance cover this?  That depends on the coverage your insurance provides. Many insurance companies will cover at least a portion of Prolotherapy treatment.