Prolotherapy is an exciting method of treatment for treating many ligament and tendon injuries without surgical reconstuction. Some of the common problems treated with prolotherapy in dogs are:

• medial and lateral luxating patellar
• partially torn anterior cruciate liagments (ACL)
• cruciate ligament laxity
• stifle collateral ligament injury
• tarscrural luxations
• wobbler syndrome
• shoulder, elbows, carpal, and sacro-iliac luxations
• chronic tendonitis

How prolotherapy works

Prolotherapy creates a reaction in the area of a weak or damaged tendon or liagment. A small volume of solution such as dextrose is placed in the area of damage or injury. The dextrose solution causes a localized reaction, increasing blood supply to an avascular area. The increased blood supply stimulates healing of the damage tissue as well as proliferation of new tissue in the area. The response to treatment varies from animal to animal and depends upon the animal's healing ability. The average number of treatments is 3-4 treatments four weeks apart.

Following the procedure, it is not uncommon for some animals to experience mild pain and soreness for up to 24 hours. For the first 24 hours after prolotherapy, dogs should be leash walked. Many dogs feel so much more comfortable after a treatment that they will over exercise and may worsen their condition unless restricted. For one week following a treatment, exercise is restricted with no running or jumping.