Prolotherapy in Atlanta, GA

Prolotherapy involves the use of an irritant solution that is carefully injected into a joint, ligament, or tendon in order to create inflammation and elevate the blood supply to that specific area. This heightened blood supply encourages cell growth and tissue restoration. As an innovative pain management treatment, prolotherapy enhances function and stimulates the body's natural healing response. Experienced orthopedic physician Dr. Christopher Williams at Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta offers prolotherapy to help treat symptoms associated with a number of conditions, including arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and tendinitis. Learn more about innovative prolotherapy by contacting our Atlanta, GA facility to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Williams and his skilled team.

Pain from conditions like arthritis and degenerative disc disease is often managed with medication, but the side effects of these medications can be even more bothersome than the pain itself. Surgery also comes with its own share of complications and risks. Prolotherapy offers an effective alternative for patients who wish to avoid the risks associated with conventional or over-the-counter treatments. Prolotherapy encourages your body's natural healing response and provides a safe and effective means of reducing pain.

Prolotherapy is typically considered helpful for most patients and can be administered into various areas of the body, including the back, neck, knees, hands, hips, and shoulders. It is often used to treat chronic and acute pain conditions, including arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and tendinitis, but it could also be successful in treating injuries that create stiffness or lack of mobility. During your comprehensive consultation, Dr. Williams will be able to evaluate your condition and symptoms in order to determine if you would be an ideal candidate for prolotherapy treatments.

The prolotherapy process involves injecting affected joints, ligaments, or tendons with a combination of irritants and a numbing agent. Dr. Williams will skillfully and carefully inject the solution into the targeted area in order to stimulate the body's natural healing response. The complete prolotherapy treatment takes around 30 minutes to complete, and you will be able to return home following the procedure. You will experience some inflammation within the area as the blood flow begins to increase. For the majority of patients, a series of treatments are necessary to promote the growth and restoration of the new healthy tissues. 

Following your prolotherapy treatment, you can expect to experience some slight stiffness, swelling, and bruising in the treated areas. However, this should go away relatively quickly and you can resume your normal activities whenever you feel comfortable. Follow-up treatments are typically needed to maintain successful results, and they can be spaced about four weeks apart. Many patients will receive anywhere from 3 – 6 treatments of prolotherapy. Throughout the treatment process, Dr. Williams may make any needed adjustments to fit your needs in order to offer the best possible results. 

Is prolotherapy safe?

In the hands of a properly trained specialist, prolotherapy is considered a safe treatment for tissue damage and pain. Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta can review what's involved, including potential risks, during an initial assessment. Prolotherapy is especially safe when compared with alternatives like invasive surgery.

Does prolotherapy hurt?

Our team provides a numbing agent — so your prolotherapy treatment is as comfortable as possible. Of course, patients may feel a pinch as the needle is administered into the skin. Any discomfort is minimal and manageable, but speak with a member of our staff if you are still concerned about pain.

How do I prepare for prolotherapy?

Dr. Williams will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for prolotherapy. We generally recommend avoiding anti-inflammatories before coming in for your injections. Remember to inform us about any health conditions or other medications that may interfere with results. We're dedicated to your success.

Does prolotherapy treat pain?

Prolotherapy has shown it can reduce pain, improve healing, and increase function for a wide variety of patients. Prolotherapy works to treat pain by stimulating the body's healing functions to produce healthy new tissue and reduce inflammation.

How many prolotherapy treatments will I need?

The number of prolotherapy treatments needed will depend on a number of factors, including treatment area, health, condition, and more. During your consultation at Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Williams will examine you, go over your medical history, and determine the number of treatments to help you reach your goals. Most patients will see the best results from a series of treatments.

What can I do to enhance the effectiveness of prolotherapy?

To maximize the benefits of prolotherapy, patients should follow these guidelines:

• Maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support tissue healing
• Engage in physical therapy or exercises recommended by Dr. Williams to strengthen the treated area
• Avoid anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or aspirin, as these can interfere with the healing process

Additionally, following post-treatment care instructions, such as resting the treated area and using ice or heat as directed, can also enhance the effectiveness of prolotherapy.

As a minimally invasive treatment option, prolotherapy can successfully increase cell growth and provide restorative results for patients with a variety of acute and chronic conditions. At Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Christopher Williams works with patients to curate the optimal treatment plan with prolotherapy. Contact our Atlanta, GA facility to learn more about prolotherapy and schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Williams.