Regenerative Medicine

For many years, the positive effects of Prolotherapy were thought to be mainly based on the concept of inflammation and minor damage induced by the injection of irritating solutions with subsequent healing of the injured areas. The benefit of solutions containing strong alcohol solutions, ground-up pumice stone, and other such recipes suggest that this is indeed one of the mechanisms of the strengthening and healing response seen with Prolotherapy.

In recent years, it has become evident that much of the benefit also comes from the stimulation of the release of Growth Factors in the region being treated. Some factors shown to be involved in growth and repair include Human Growth Hormone (HGH), Insulin-like Growth Factors I-IV, Transforming Growth Factor Beta, Epidermal Growth Factor, Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor, Platelet Derived Growth Factor, and undoubtedly many others. These have been shown to be released during Prolotherapy treatments and appear to be the main basis for repair.

It has been shown that elevating the concentration of Glucose (sugar) by 0.5% in the fluid surrounding the fibroblasts induces the DNA machinery to release numerous factors such as those mentioned above. Mesenchymal Stem Cells have been demonstrated to markedly increase in joint fluid after the injection of 12.5% Dextrose into the joint.

The healing effect of Prolotherapy is a graded, controlled reaction producing repair of the weak and damaged connective tissue with new healthy collagen. When properly applied, Prolotherapy does not induce scar formation. The bonds are stronger, healthier, and thicker than before treatment, and with each treatment continue to strengthen, until the healing is complete and the pain resolved.

More recently discovered solutions injected directly into the joint space for inducing growth and repair include Human Growth Hormone, Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC’s) derived from fat tissue and from Bone Marrow.

More information is available at www.getprolo.com, which includes listings of doctors by city and state and many articles contributed by experts in the field of Regenerative Medicine.