Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Prolotherapy for damaged joints & ligaments

My DO performs this therapy with a specific solution of amino acids and such to help repair joints that are damaged or unstable.... when I get the $$ I think I'm going to try this!

http://www.prolotherapy.com/

http://www.prolotherapy.com/ppm2007.pdf

Quote:

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Prolotherapy is also known as nonsurgical ligament reconstruction,
and is a treatment for chronic pain

Prolotherapy is helpful for what conditions?

The treatment is useful for many different types of musculoskeletal pain, including arthritis, back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, unresolved whiplash injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic tendonitis, partially torn tendons, ligaments and cartilage, degenerated or herniated discs, TMJ and sciatica.

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Trudi - looks facinating. Wonder how much it costs? And don't suppose for a single moment it is available over here...((

Tried my TENS on my feet this afternoon - sat watching rubbish on TV; wind howling outside, day v. cold. Can move my toes upwards better than I could before. So, it just 'might' be working. Now to try out for a walk mit houndette.

Hey Trudi! Hope all is well! Check out this video! Looks painful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NsgU4FVYOA

Craig

thanks for posting this trudi!

i've read about it but never tried it, don't know anyone around here that does it, but it sounds interesting,

please let us know what you think if you get it done,
a personal recommendation carries a lot of weight,

Hi, trudi:

I've had prolotherapy several times in various locations and it was quite effective, but never for damaged joints; just to shore up my poor ol' bones for stability.

LOL! "Looks like it hurts!" AS never "looks" like it hurts--and if you REALLY have AS...well, there is just no other pain period. Amazing that people without AS used to ask me whether acupuncture hurt! It would be wonderful to live in their world again. Oh, wait...I ALMOST do...

Regards,
John

Oh ger-yuck Craig. Made me feel quite 'overcome' (HATE needles). No, no way would I ever consider undergoing it. Too painful.

Did try acupuncture for a time for my rotten elbow, didn't hurt, din't work either. So, NO needles, of any description for me. (Says she firmly!)

I can't understand why that guy isn't in more pain. Do they use an anesthetic in the solution as well?

hey trudi,

don't let the video or people's reactions scare you off. while i've never had prolotherapy, i get trigger point injections. yesterday, the doctor injected the needle a number of times. i bet they use the same fine gauge needle, if that's the case, the needle barely hurts at all. and if it relieves the pain, well, the pain of the needle is nothing compared to the pain you have right now.

When I was seeing orthopedist after orthopedist for my chronic tendonitis, I learned about prolotherapy and was super-intrigued. I even got a price quote (uber expensive!) but then my condition migrated from annoyance to life changing. Now, I realize that the tendonitis is enthesesitis (spelling?) and is just collateral damage from the spondy beast. Once the disease is in remission (I can hope!), I'll reinvestigate the possibility of pursuing that treatment to put myself back together again. More and more docs are using prolotherapy so hopefully it'll be cheaper!

I hope it really helps you out a lot if you decide to pursue it! Thanks for sharing!

Freddie

I'm NOT watching the video... almost peeked, but won't. I'm not one for needles that go DEEP into painful areas.. never had it, but it sounds painful. I believe there's topical anaglesics (sp?) used before inserting needles.

I've done several sessions with accupuncture ... didn't mind most needles. Some gave me quite a jolt, though. But, curiously, most treatments caused me to flare really bad for 2 days. the kind of flare where my body would really swell and stiffen up. Made me feel like I was getting the flu or something. Not really the severe pain kind of flare. Odd, but thankfully the practitioner had an electric machine-thing that worked quite well instead of needles. He was puzzled too at my reaction. Maybe I was allergic to the needles or something. He said that was common with older ladies that did needle-work.. their hands would stiffen up because they were allergic to the needles. He'd treat them with NAET and it would stop.

my doc does prolotherapy at around $185 a shot, with a discount if you pre-purchase a certain amt at one time.

The damage that gets restored is probably not AS-type damages.. but those of regular injury & wear-&-tear, is my understanding of this procedure. I'm looking at it maybe for the osteoarthritis in my hips... and for some vertebrae/ribs that are constantly moving out of place. But I'm not 'there' yet. I've still got some supplements & SSZ to try first before I find the money and fortitude to try getting my joints poked.