Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection therapy that helps your body heal naturally and restore stability to injured or weakened joints and ligaments. At Samaritan Sports Medicine in Raleigh, North Carolina, Benjamin Petty, MD, offers prolotherapy to reduce chronic pain, improve joint function, and support long-term healing. This treatment may also help you avoid more invasive procedures. Call the office or schedule a consultation online today.

What is prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection therapy that helps the body heal injured or weakened ligaments, tendons, and joints. Sometimes called “proliferation therapy,” prolotherapy uses a solution, often a dextrose-based or natural irritant, delivered directly to the affected area to stimulate your body’s natural healing response. 

Unlike treatments that only mask pain, prolotherapy targets the root cause of instability or chronic discomfort, promoting long-term tissue repair and strengthening.

What issues can prolotherapy address?

Prolotherapy is commonly used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal problems, particularly those related to chronic pain or joint instability. Conditions that may respond well to prolotherapy include:

• Chronic back or neck pain
• Knee, hip, or shoulder injuries
• Ligament and tendon sprains or tears
• Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow
• Ankle instability or recurrent sprains
• Arthritis-related joint pain

Many patients choose prolotherapy when conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or rest haven’t provided sufficient relief.

How does prolotherapy work?

Prolotherapy works by stimulating your body’s natural healing mechanisms. When Dr. Petty injects the solution into the injured or weakened area, it triggers a mild, controlled inflammatory response. This process encourages your body to produce new connective tissue, strengthen ligaments and tendons, and restore joint stability. 

Over time, the treatment results include pain reduction, improved function, and injury prevention.

What can I expect during a prolotherapy procedure?

Your prolotherapy session is performed at Samaritan Sports Medicine and usually takes 30- 60 minutes. Your provider first cleans the treatment area and may use imaging guidance, such as ultrasound, to ensure precise injection placement. 

You may feel brief stinging, pressure, or mild discomfort during the injection, but the sensation usually passes quickly. Most people can resume normal activities shortly afterward, although mild soreness or swelling in the treated area is common for a few days. Dr. Petty may recommend multiple sessions to achieve optimal results, depending on the severity of your condition.

If you’re struggling with chronic joint pain or instability, prolotherapy may offer a safe, nonsurgical option to promote healing and restore function. Call Samaritan Sports Medicine or schedule an appointment online today to see if prolotherapy is right for you.