Prolotherapy injections for sacroiliac pain are used almost exclusively for SI dysfunction conditions that are caused by soft tissue concerns. Prolotherapy can be used in cases of joint injury or idiopathic dysfunction that does not stem from a specific known source. Prolotherapy is not indicated in most cases of sacroiliitis or when the joint is being attacked by a known disease process.
What is prolotherapy and how can I be used to treat SIJ symptoms? Is the treatment safe? What cautions do patients need to exercise when considering prolotherapy? These are all vital questions to answer before even seriously investigating prolotherapy as a means of resolving sacroiliac pain.
This essay details the use of prolotherapy for SIJ pain disorders. We will explain prolotherapy and provide a pro and con evaluation of the treatment for indicated forms of sacroiliac pain issues.
Prolotherapy Injections for Sacroiliac Explained
Prolotherapy is a minimally invasive form of treatment that uses injections directly in to the painful area of the sacroiliac joint to elicit an organic healing response. Prolotherapy does not contain drugs, but instead is made up of a natural irritating substance like sugar water or purified cod liver oil. Therefore prolotherapy is considered nonpharmacological in nature, even though it is invasive.
Why would a patient want to inject an irritating substance into a painful joint? The theory behind prolotherapy is that by irritating the soft tissues of the joint, a specific reaction can be produced through the natural organic healing response of the anatomy. Most often, this response is meant to resolve some manner of sacroiliac joint dysfunction caused by excessive tension or laxity in the ligaments which regulate joint motion and stability.
While the science behind prolotherapy is sound and the benefits are potentially great, there are also some very important downsides to consider, as well. Let’s further explore the pros and cons of prolotherapy injections into the sacroiliac joint.
Rewards of Prolotherapy Injections
Prolotherapy demonstrates some distinct advantages over some forms of treatment, including the following possible benefits:
Prolotherapy is nonpharmaceutical and the substances used are generally considered both safe and natural.
Prolotherapy has lots of research behind it and is well known to produce especially good results when used for ligamentous laxity in the affected SIJ. Results for excessive tension in the joint are as not as promising, but there is still evidence showing some possible efficacy.
Prolotherapy is minimally invasive and available from many different types of caregivers, including some who are not medical doctors.
Prolotherapy can be combined with other types of injections, including nerve blocks which can provide immediate relief and also reduce the lingering pain of the prolo injections.
Prolotherapy works on a holistic theory, allowing the body to provide the actual resolution of the condition with just a bit of natural assistance.
Cons of Prolotherapy Injections for Sacroiliac Pain
There are many downsides of prolotherapy that patients might not consider when first learning about this innovative treatment. Let’s investigate the possible limitations and risks of prolotherapy injections in the sacroiliac joint:
Since the therapy is largely considered unproven, it rarely receives insurance coverage under most health plans. This may force patients to pay expensive fees out of pocket for multiple rounds of injections without knowing if they will work or not.
Although being available from care providers who are not medical doctors, this can also be a downside and most complications of prolotherapy occur when the caregiver is not a qualified physician.
Prolotherapy can lead to infection in some cases and nerve damage in rare cases. Very extreme complications might involve tissue necrosis in the joint or systemic sepsis. Much more common is the citation of severe and continuing pain following treatment, which is normal and expected since the substances used are irritants and joint irritation leading to an organic healing response is unfortunately a painful process to endure.
Many patients see no benefit from prolotherapy injections, regardless of their diagnosis.
The use of live x-ray is helpful in guiding prolotherapy injections, but this technology is not always used, possibly increasing the risks associated with the treatment further.
Sacroiliac Joint Pain > Sacroiliac Treatment > Prolotherapy Injections for Sacroiliac
