Prolotherapy Side Effects

Prolotherapy, or medically called proliferative injection therapy, is a procedure which is used often as an option to invasive arthroscopic surgery. In other cases it is also called regenerative injection therapy. What this means is that it is less complicated and time-consuming than the arthroscopic surgery.

What is Prolotherapy?

It fundamentally involves injecting a non-pharmacological and non active irritant solution to the body. This is called dextrose, a sugar solution. This is usually in the area of tendons and ligaments, to strengthen the weak connective tissues and reducing musculoskeletal pain.

The sugar solution leads to a localized inflammation in the tendons and increases the blood supply in those areas. Improvement in the blood supply to these areas leads to flow of nutrients as well, facilitating the repair work of the tissue on its own. It has been reported that this therapy along with spinal exercises and manipulation can relieve back pain. But this is still under contention. There are apparently a few side effects. There are seemingly not serious and if at all there are, they are very rare.

Side Effects of Prolotherapy

Nerve, Ligament or Tendon Damage
The possibility of a nerve being injured or damaged cannot be ruled out in a prolotherapy. Especially if it is in a position where a doctor might not have anticipated it to be. In addition to that, similarly, the ligament or tendon itself could be damaged if the doctor is a rookie. Although it is not necessary that it will happen, but it is plausible. Nerve getting damaged is one of the imminent and serious risks. If the nerve is struck, it causes a tingling and pricking sensation with something resembling a hot current going down your arms or legs. This however, goes off in a some period of time.

Pain and Stiffness
This procedure leads to pain and stiffness, in the areas where the solution has been injected. For example if the procedure has been targeted towards back and neck and allied area, there can be a marked stiffness and muscle pain in those areas. Soreness of muscles is also very commonly experienced by patients undergoing this treatment. Further, inflammation, swelling and bruising is another consequence.

Infection
If there is a pain in the injected area, accompanied by fever, it is an indication that the patient has infection. However, such chances are low considering that it is not as invasive and complicated as some other procedures. Antibiotics are prescribed to deal with these infections.

Blood Loss
Another potential risk is a burst blood vessel leading to the blood loss and bruising. Dizziness could follow this mishap, but it passes with time. But it would not happen if the surgery is done properly.

Fluid Leak
By fluid leak I am making an allusion to cerebrospinal fluid leak. It is also referred as a spinal headache. If the procedure focuses on the back, around the spine and the spinal canal is penetrated, it can lead to the leakage.

Lung Puncture
This treatment could in very rare cases lead to a lung puncture. Subsequently the lung can collapse. If it is a partial collapse, it can be managed at home, under constant observation and monitoring. Otherwise the lung would need to be inflated by another surgical procedure, which will mean a prolonged stay in the hospital.

These were the dangers of prolotherapy. Although all of them are not serious and almost all patients undergo it, some of these like fluid leak and infection are very rare and does not generally happen. But on the flip side it provides relief from the nasty backache. Nevertheless, the best way to ensure that there are no undesired effects is to get under the knife (or rather the injection) of a credible and experienced doctor.

That was it, I hope I have not scared you off if you were planning to undergo prolotherapy! These are just a few scenarios which a patient should be ready for! No need to worry there! Take Care!