Prolotherapy for
Ligament & Joint Stability
Prolotherapy is a non-surgical injection treatment that uses a carefully selected solution, commonly dextrose-based, to target ligaments, tendon attachments, and related musculoskeletal structures. At Interventional Orthopedics of Washington, treatment is physician-led and tailored to your diagnosis, anatomy, imaging, health history, and goals. Prolotherapy may be considered for selected cases of ligament laxity, joint instability, and chronic musculoskeletal pain, and may help support stability, pain reduction, and improved function. Individual responses vary.
- May Be Used for Ligament Laxity & Joint Instability
- Ultrasound or Fluoroscopy Guidance, When Appropriate
- Physician-Led, Diagnosis-Based Treatment Planning
- Often Performed as a Series of Treatments
Prolotherapy is not appropriate for every condition or patient. A consultation, clinical evaluation, and review of relevant imaging are required to determine whether it may be appropriate. Individual outcomes and recovery timelines vary, and some patients may benefit from a series of treatments. Surgery or other treatment options may still be recommended depending on the diagnosis and response.
What Is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection technique that uses a mild, natural solution (often dextrose) to stimulate the body’s repair response. By triggering controlled inflammation at weakened ligaments or tendons, prolotherapy encourages new tissue growth and improved joint stability over time.
Unlike pain-masking injections such as cortisone, prolotherapy works by restarting the healing process in areas that may have failed to repair fully after an injury. This makes it especially valuable for patients struggling with chronic instability or recurring sprains.
Conditions Treated
with Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy can be helpful in cases where loose ligaments are the root cause of pain or dysfunction. Common conditions include:
Common Areas Treated
Knee
SI Joint
Shoulder
Elbow
Wrist & Hand
Ankle & Foot
Spine
Head & Neck
Struggling with Unstable Joints?
Rebuild Strength and Stability with Prolotherapy
Chronic joint instability doesn’t have to define your daily life. Prolotherapy may help your body rebuild and strengthen where it matters most.
Prolotherapy FAQs
Answers to common questions about prolotherapy, ligament laxity, joint instability, treatment sessions, recovery, and how regenerative injections may support healing.
Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection technique that uses a mild solution, often dextrose, to stimulate the body’s repair response in weakened ligaments, tendons, and supporting joint structures.
Prolotherapy may help patients with chronic ankle instability, knee instability, whiplash injuries, shoulder instability, low back pain, and other pain patterns linked to lax or weakened supporting ligaments.
Cortisone is often used to reduce inflammation and temporarily quiet pain. Prolotherapy is designed to stimulate a healing response in areas that may not have repaired fully after injury or repeated strain.
The number of sessions depends on the area treated, the severity of instability, prior injuries, and your response to care. Many patients require a series of treatments for best results.
Because prolotherapy works by stimulating repair, results are typically gradual. Some patients notice improvement within weeks, while ligament strengthening and stability often continue to build over several months.
Struggling with unstable joints?
Schedule your free discovery call and let’s explore whether prolotherapy is the right next step for your pain, instability, and long-term joint health.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otoño Silva, M.D.
Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · Fellowship-Trained in Interventional Orthopedics, Centeno-Schultz Clinic
Last reviewed