Prolotherapy vs Cortisone for Safe & Effective Treatment of Sports Injuries
Across the United States, there are approximately 2 million acute ankle sprains that occur each year. Additionally, athletes and active individuals encounter injuries due to overuse or even trauma in some cases. Often unaddressed injuries like torn muscles and sprains are masked by cortisone injections’ ability to cover the pain. The most popular sports in Denver, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, trail running, and more, all come with their fair share of pain to deal with.
Cortisone injections provide ways of clearing out inflammation. Prolotherapy is a more practical, effective approach that stimulates the natural healing of injured joints and muscles. Consequently, health-conscious people are now turning to a more cost-effective protocol for their injuries that include:
- Knee and ankle pain
- Degenerative disc disease
- Back pain
- Neck pain due to spine-related ailments
- Overuse injuries to ligaments and tendons
- Joints weakened by arthritis
Prolotherapy even has a proven track record of effectively addressing back pain and muscle injuries that go back decades. Stronger joints, lasting results, and getting back to your sport sooner all come from healing on a cellular level.
Imagine a hinge that is loose and continues to be overused. If lubricant is applied to silence the squeaking, the hinge still wears out. Simply put, the source is not being adequately addressed.
A Treatment that Prioritizes Healing over Masking the Symptoms
Because Prolotherapy brings significant benefits to the long-term health of joints and tissues, those wanting to return to their active Denver lifestyles seek it in growing numbers. After all, cortisone injections do not possess the capability of strengthening bones or joint and bone attachments. In addition, Prolotherapy uses the body’s natural processes, so its effectiveness does not drop off as cortisone is known to do.
Bone, soft tissue, and joint healing all occur on a level that is unaddressed by cortisone injections. Sufferers can indeed find some temporary relief in those areas with cortisone injections. However, the integrity of the tissue of the joint is not improved. Athletes relegated to the sideline due to injury know just how bad the time off can be. Not only does time away from sports hamper progress in your given discipline, but it can have a resulting impact on emotional and social health.
The stability of a joint or tissue is compromised without treating the degenerated or injured ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. While it is invisible to the patient without pain, the repeated stress, strain, or trauma is still being accrued if no active healing occurs. Getting back to action safely and naturally provides peace of mind that masking an injury cannot duplicate.
Prolotherapy is not the same as cortisone injections. Taking away the pain and stopping inflammation does not immediately address the causes of injury. A joint is worse off after the activities resume without addressing the underlying cause. Repairing torn ligaments and bringing stability means long-term repair, lasting health, and a stronger body.
Proven Success Rates You Can Afford
Relief seekers may find that cortisone injections cost north of $1000 for a single injection. Shelling out that kind of money on top of grappling with knee pain or a problematic ankle injury can feel like an added injury. However, after 3 to 4 treatments with Prolotherapy of Denver, patients report substantial improvements. Meanwhile, the treatment is far less expensive at around $299 for an injection.
Price should not be a limiting factor for high-quality healthcare, and now it doesn’t have to be. A success rate of 80-90% for all patients inspires confidence in those who have been aching for lasting benefits.
In a randomized study of Prolotherapy versus cortisone for SI joint pain, each group had relief initially. However, the prolotherapy recipients found more lasting results a year later. Stabilizing the joints and bringing healing is how the proper repair of an injury occurs. Unfortunately, cortisone tends to inhibit calcium absorption in the digestive tract. In addition, it can lead to the weakening of cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. This weakening can spell repeating or more aggressive injuries in the future.
Relief from Non-traumatic Injury
More than 15 million people or about one in four adults with arthritis report the experience of severe joint pain. Arthritis affects millions, and the lasting impact is often joints weakened by the condition. Prolotherapy is a non-surgical approach with a proven history of success when applied to people living with arthritis. Healing the body also lends itself to strengthened joints.
Cortisone can lead to progressive arthritic changes that no sufferer can afford to see exacerbated. While a quick fix might relieve the initial pain, the more meaningful approach will allow people to return to daily activities without fear of reinjuring themselves. Accelerating the degeneration of cartilage is not a concern with Prolotherapy. Pain has a purpose in the body, and masking it increases the potential that overuse will worsen the injury.
If you have any questions about Prolotherapy or if it is a good fit for you, please reach out to our team at Prolotherapy of Denver.