After Care Instructions

Prolotherapy patients: it is important that you read all of the following:

• You can expect to have increased discomfort for three to ten days after the ligament strengthening injections because the solution is causing an inflammatory healing response.
• The injection may cause you to feel like you are having the sprain or arthritis flare-up all over again for a few days and is a good sign that you are getting a proper response to the injections.
• Do not be concerned if you do not have any discomfort from the injections or any after pain, or if the pain you are being treated for goes away permanently after the injections. This occurs in 10% of patients. You can expect some bruising, local swelling or tenderness at the injection site.
• Some patients prefer to go home and rest after treatment, but others carry on with their work or other activities immediately after treatment.
• Ice packs are the most useful method of controlling discomfort and swelling after injections. This is particularly important in the first 24-48 hours. An inexpensive and convenient ice pack is a large bag of frozen peas or corn, which can be refrozen for reuse.
• Heat should not be applied during this time. After this period, either heat or ice packs can be used depending on your own comfort.
• Strenuous work or sports may need to be stopped or modified for two or three weeks after injections to give the tissue repair a chance to build up. The growth pattern of tendons and ligaments should be complete in six weeks after each set of injections.
• Aspirin, Advil and all of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs stop inflammation and reduce pain. Since inflammation is the desired affect in the healing and repair response to injections, these drugs should be avoided to get the strongest response to the injections. Short-term use of narcotics or extra strength Tylenol may be necessary in a few cases.