Prolotherapy, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) & Stem Cells

Dr. McConnell has been providing dextrose prolotherapy for his patients with joint pain and injuries for twenty years now and continue to be amazed by the results – that no other therapy, medication nor surgery can accomplish. No wonder Prolo has stood the test of time, especially so since mainstream medicine does not recognize Prolo’s value in treating patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Prolo is short for “proliferation”, an injection technique where those physicians trained in Prolo inject an irritant, the main one being dextrose or sugar, into the place tendons and ligaments attach to bones (called “entheses”). Additionally, dextrose injected into joints (knees, hips, shoulders, ankles and fingers) help repair and strengthen cartilage (within joints for cushioning) that has been worn down or torn. Often the problem is not inflammation but degeneration, with chronic pain. Acute injuries often cause “tendonitis” whereas with chronic injuries the problem is more “tendonosis” or “tendonopathy,” indicating a situation where chronically injured tendons and ligaments end up with up to 30% fewer collagen fibers. With a series of Prolo injections every 3-4 weeks, the process of healing and growth of new connective tissue takes place, resulting in stronger joints and decreased pain. Other terms for prolo include “regenerative joint injections” and “non-surgical ligament and tendon repair/reconstruction.”

In this era of our mesmerization with stem cells (we all are looking for the magic bullet – and indeed stem cells may be just that in some cases) the older, proven therapies like prolo tend to take a back seat to the new boys on the block – like PRP (platelet rich plasma) and stem cells.

Prolotherapy ranges from $350 to $450 per session

PRP – $650 per joint

Stem cell therapy – starts at $2,500