What Is Prolozone Therapy?
Prolozone is a form of non-surgical ligament reconstruction that is often a permanent treatment for chronic pain. By repairing the connective tissue this is all that is needed to permanently reverse chronic pain.
Prolozone Therapy is an injection technique similar to prolotherapy that uses ozone. The use of ozone causes the joint to heal much more quickly than in traditional prolotherapy. This is because ozone is a highly reactive molecule and when injected into a joint capsule it can stimulate the fibroblastic joint repairing abilities. Prolozone is derived from the word ozone and the Latin word “proli” which means to regenerate or re-build. It means re-building tissues with ozone.
By repairing the connective tissue this is all that is needed to help reverse chronic pain.
Ligaments are the structural “rubber bands” that hold bones to bones in joints – acting like the body’s shock absorbers. Ligaments can become weak or injured and may not heal back to their original strength or endurance. Ligaments will also not tighten on their own to their original length once injured. This is largely because the blood supply to ligaments is limited, and therefore healing is slow and not always complete. To further complicate this, ligaments also have many nerve endings, and therefore the person will feel pain in the areas where the ligaments are damaged or loose.
We can think of our joints as the hinge on a door. Until the hinge is fixed the door just isn’t going to open or close right and it’s the same story with our joints. If we are athletic or if we are just getting older there is some gradual and natural degeneration of the moving parts of the body due to ongoing recurrent mechanical stress, and failure of tissues to repair. This can come from a lack of nutrients, lack of circulation, aging, and inflammation. When this happens, the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage become dehydrated and weaker. This results in laxity and more abnormal mechanical stress and shearing forces on the joint. Abnormal shearing forces and torsion cause more joint dysfunction.
This leads to a progressive separation of the ligaments from the superficial covering on the bone called the periosteum. This pulling on the periosteum creates a space, in which the body fills in with new bone. These new parts of bone are called osteophytes. They are the premier signs of degenerative arthritis in & around the joint. Osteophytes and joint laxity result in a reduced range of motion, which causes strain on surrounding muscles which then become either over or underworked leading to more dysfunction & pain.
Prolozone causes repair and tightening of the lax structures, partially torn connective tissue, and ligaments. Prolozone halts the pain/inflammation cycle. This allows for better circulation, increased blood flow carrying nutrition, and hydration of the damaged tissues. This allows for a healing environment within the joint to develop and results in an increased range of motion and decreased pain.
Who is a candidate for this program?
Because Prolozone treatments also result in cartilage regeneration, the technique is also remarkably effective even for severe cases of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. The good thing about Prolozone therapy is that it is not just a pain treatment. The results can represent a permanent fix. Once Dr. Robyn Benson takes a detailed history of your injury she will be able to tell you if Prolozone is right for you.
Conditions commonly treated with Prolozone Therapy include:
Chronic back, knee, shoulder pain, bulging or herniated disks, Sciatica, weakened joints from prior injury,
How does it work?
Pain will persist as long as the connective tissue in a joint remains damaged. Connective tissue can be scarred, torn, or overly stretched. Prolozone injections stimulate tissue to repair itself, strengthening and tightening, and ultimately stabilizing the joint. Prolozone therapy involves the injections of ozone into soft tissues, ligaments, and tendons. This causes a localized inflammation in these weak areas, which then increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients, the stimulation of anabolic cells, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and chondroblasts. These effects stimulate the tissue to repair itself, strengthening and tightening, and thereby stabilizing the area.
What do I have to know before I get started?
It is advised not to use anti-inflammatory medications before and during the 48 hours after the injection. For this same reason, areas that have been treated with steroid or cortisone injections cannot be treated with Prolozone until the injections have worn off (3-4 weeks).
What can I expect?
The response to treatment varies with each person and depends upon one’s healing ability and level of injury. Some people may only need one to two treatments, while others may need as many as six or seven. Once you begin treatment, the doctor can analyze how you are responding, and will then be able to give you an accurate estimate of what you can expect from further treatments. The injection process is repeated every 1-2 weeks until maximum improvement is noted. Prolozone Therapy typically results in a complete absence of symptoms, even in severe pain conditions that have been present for years.
How to prepare for a Prolozone Injection:
- AVOID the use of NSAIDS (ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, Naproxen, Aspirin, etc.) 2-3 days before the procedure (Tylenol is OK for pain relief right up to and including the day of the procedure – do not exceed 4000mg in 24 hours).
- AVOID the Systemic use of corticosteroids for 1 week before the procedure.
- HYDRATE
OPTIONAL: Prepare to treat any bruising with Topical Arnica and/or Vitamin K cream to facilitate clearing. *Please note: Most patients get excellent results regardless.
Watch video of Dr. Robyn Benson doing Prolozone Therapy:
