Welcome back to the Bendy Club blog! This week, we’re exploring an innovative, non-surgical treatment for joint instability that offers hope for those living with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): prolotherapy. If you’ve been seeking an effective way to manage your joint instability without going under the knife, prolotherapy could be the answer you’ve been looking for.
What is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy, short for “proliferation therapy,” involves injecting a solution, often containing dextrose, into the affected ligaments and tendons. This solution stimulates the body’s natural healing response, promoting the growth of new, stronger tissue and helping to stabilize the joint.
Why This Matters
Joint instability is a common and often debilitating issue for those with HSD and EDS. Traditional treatments, like surgery, come with significant risks and recovery times. Prolotherapy offers a minimally invasive alternative that can enhance joint stability and reduce pain through a series of injections.
How Prolotherapy Works
Prolotherapy works by inducing a mild inflammatory response at the site of injection. This inflammation triggers the body’s healing mechanisms, leading to the growth of new collagen fibers. Over time, these fibers strengthen and tighten the affected ligaments and tendons, improving joint stability. An ideal solution for those suffering with ligament laxity causing joint pain.
Benefits of Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy provides several benefits, especially for hypermobile individuals:
- Minimally Invasive: The procedure is typically done in an outpatient setting, with minimal downtime required.
- Natural Healing: By leveraging the body’s own healing processes, prolotherapy can lead to natural tissue regeneration.
- Reduced Pain: Many patients experience significant pain relief, making it easier to engage in daily activities.
- Improved Stability: Strengthening the ligaments and tendons can enhance joint stability, reducing the risk of further injury.
Action Steps for Considering Prolotherapy
- Consult a Specialist: Seek advice from a healthcare provider experienced in prolotherapy to discuss your specific needs and whether this treatment is appropriate for you. It is important that injections be performed with image guidance and ideally by someone familiar with treating those with hypermobility.
- Understand the Process: Prolotherapy procedures start with cleaning the site with surgical grade cleaners. Then the injections sites are numbed with an anesthetic like Lidocaine. Next the injections are performed with great care to treat all of the supporting ligaments, tendons, capsule of the affected joint. After the site with be sore and stiff for 2-4 days and then will heal over the course of 4-6 weeks. Prolotherapy generally requires multiple procedures 4-6 weeks apart for best results with each procedure increasing the stability of the joint further.
- Evaluate the Benefits and Risks: The risks associated with prolotherapy are minimal including soreness at injection sites, possible infection, and adverse reactions to medications. These procedures are not generally covered by insurance so cost can be a barrier to care for some. Benefits include decreased pain and improved function of the treated area. Prolotherapy is very versatile and most areas are able to be treated from your ankle to the cervical spine.
- Follow Post-Treatment Care: Adhere to any post-treatment recommendations provided by your healthcare provider to maximize the benefits of prolotherapy. Generally we have patients engage in specific physical therapy both before and after prolotherapy to continue to improve the strength and stability of the treatment area.
- Track Your Progress: Keep a detailed log of your symptoms and improvements, and maintain regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider. As stated above prolotherapy generally requires a series of injections spaced 4-6 weeks apart. This is not a failure of the treatment if symptoms do not resolve with 1 procedure. Think of it more similar to physical therapy which requires multiple sessions over a period of time to get results rather than a surgery that hopefully is only performed once.
Patient Story
Meet Sarah, a long-time member of our community, who struggled with chronic knee instability due to her EDS. After years of discomfort and numerous failed treatments, Sarah opted for prolotherapy. The procedure was straightforward, and within a few months, she noticed a marked improvement in her knee stability and a significant reduction in pain. Sarah’s experience is a testament to the potential of prolotherapy as a non-surgical solution for joint instability.
Share Your Journey
We encourage you to share your experiences and connect with others on our social media platforms. By building a supportive community, we can help each other navigate the challenges of living with HSD and EDS.
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Thank you for being part of the Bendy Club. Together, we can make a difference!
Warm regards,
The Hypermobile Solutions Team
References
Treatment of joint hypermobility syndrome, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, with Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy. Journal of Prolotherapy. (2018, September 28). https://journalofprolotherapy.com/treatment-of-joint-hypermobility-syndrome-including-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-with-hackett-hemwall-prolotherapy/
Zhao AT, Caballero CJ, Nguyen LT, Vienne HC, Lee C, Kaye AD. A Comprehensive Update of Prolotherapy in the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2022 May 31;14(4):33921. doi: 10.52965/001c.33921. PMID: 35769650; PMCID: PMC9235417. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9235417/
Home. The Ehlers Danlos Society. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/
What is HSD?. The Ehlers Danlos Society. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-hsd/
What is eds?. The Ehlers Danlos Society. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/
Jovin, D., Atwal, P., Herman, K., Block, N., Maxwell, A. J., Mitakides, J., Maitland, A. M., Saperstein, D., Hamilton, M., Schofield, J., Koby, M., Klinge, P., McElroy, A., Bluestein, L., Chopra, P., Tishler, J., Pocinki, A. G., Varga, J., Dempsey, T., … Lane, K. (2020). Disjointed: Navigating the diagnosis and management of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders. Hidden Stripes Publications, Inc.
Smith, C., & Wicks, D. (2017). Understanding Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder: (previously known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type & Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, respectively). Redcliff-House Publications.
Cox, C. (2022). Holding it all together when you’re Hypermobile. Journey2Joy
Disclaimer
This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no provider/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.