What is Prolotherapy / Autologous Blood Injections?

• Prolotherapy (also known as sclerotherapy, regenerative injection therapy or non surgical ligament reconstruction) and autologous blood injections are injection techniques used to treat connective tissue injuries that have not healed with other treatments.
• These procedures involve either the injection of local anaesthetic mixed with dextrose, and sometimes your own blood, or simply your own blood, into the soft tissue.
• This sets off the inflammatory response at the site, which increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients to the tissues. This aids in the healing of the tissues and therefore reduces your pain.
• Some people only need a few treatments, but the average number is 4 to 6. The number of treatments will depend on your response to the therapy. The results of the treatment do not always occur overnight.

Prior to the Procedure

• Your injection will be performed at King Street Private Hospital. The staff will contact you with the appointment time.
• There is no need to fast prior to your injection procedure.
• You may eat and drink as usual and take your medications as usual.
• You will need to organise someone to drive you home after the procedure as you will not be able to drive for 4 hours after your procedure.

What Will Happen?

• Your doctor will perform the injection into the ligaments and tendons in the area where you have been experiencing your pain. There may be a nurse assissting.
• It is not necessary to have general or local anaesthetic for an injection procedure.
• The consultation and procedure should take no longer than 15 minutes.

Post Procedure

• Do not drive a vehicle for 4 hours after your injection procedure.
• You may feel some numbness, tenderness or altered sensation around the region of your injection.
• It is normal to experience increased pain and perhaps some swelling in the first week after your procedure.
• Over the next month to 6 weeks, the pain will subside as the strength of the ligaments increases.
• Depending on the site of your injection, you may be required to wear a splint for 2 weeks following the injection. You will be advised by the nursing staff if this is required and where to obtain the splint. Please bring your splint with you if it is required as it will be fitted on the day.
• Minor complications that may occur following prolotherapy include temporary pain, stiffness, bruising and temporary numbness.
• Major complications that may occur are rare (approx 1 in 4000) and include severe headache, shortness of breath from lung collapse, nerve damage, and reactions to the medications used.

If you require further explanation of the procedure, please contact Hunter Pain Specialists nursing staff on (02) 4985 1800.