What is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is administered by injection into the points where bones and muscles meet. It is applied to areas where the body does not receive enough blood to repair itself.
In what cases is it applied?
It can be applied in a wide range of areas, from cosmetics to pain treatment. In our institution, it is mostly used for head, neck, waist pain and tendon pain.
In line with the active medication used in Prolotherapy, blood appears in the area and the body begins to repair itself.
By stimulating the injected area, blood cells come to the area and the healing process begins through the stimulated enzymes.
Regenerative Dextrose Prolotherapy at İSOM Istanbul
Prolotherapy (proliferative therapy) at İSOM Orthopedic Clinic in Istanbul is a non-surgical regenerative treatment that triggers the body's natural healing mechanisms to repair chronically lax ligaments, weakened tendons, and unstable joints. Developed clinically by Dr. George Hackett and refined with modern ultrasonography, prolotherapy targets the fibro-osseous junction (enthesis).
Ligaments and tendons have a relatively poor blood supply, which frequently results in incomplete healing following sprains, repetitive micro-tears, or sports injuries. When joint ligaments remain permanently lengthened or slack, abnormal shearing forces accelerate articular cartilage wear and produce intractable chronic pain.
- Hypertonic Dextrose Mechanism: Injections of 12.5% to 25% pharmaceutical dextrose create a localized, temporary osmotic gradient that causes cell dehydration without necrosis.
- Granulocyte & Macrophage Recruitment: The localized biological response attracts healing growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).
- Collagen Fibril Synthesis: Fibroblasts proliferate and synthesize new type I collagen fibers, tightening slack ligaments and reinforcing joint capsule integrity.
Ultrasound-Guided Technique and Clinical Indications
At İSOM, prolotherapy is performed under live ultrasound guidance to ensure that proliferant solutions are deposited directly onto the precise enthesopathy sites, avoiding neurovascular structures. Common anatomical targets include the sacroiliac joint ligaments, iliolumbar ligament, lateral collateral ligament of the knee, and rotator cuff tendon insertions.
Because prolotherapy intentionally stimulates a controlled healing cascade, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen must be avoided before and after treatment to preserve the regenerative cascade.
- Chronic Sacroiliac Joint Instability: Restores pelvic ring stability in patients suffering from recalcitrant lower back and buttock pain.
- Knee Osteoarthritis & Ligamentous Laxity: Tightens collateral ligaments, stabilizes patellofemoral tracking, and stimulates joint capsule firmness.
- Chronic Cervical Instability: Relieves chronic neck pain, cervicogenic headaches, and upper cervical whiplash injuries.
- Recurrent Ankle Sprains: Strengthens the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments, ending chronic ankle giving-way episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prolotherapy in Istanbul
Consultez Nos Spécialistes en Orthopédie
Contactez notre équipe médicale à Istanbul pour toute question concernant votre diagnostic, vos options chirurgicales et la prise de rendez-vous.