HELPING YOU HEAL
The Stages of Healing After an Injury
The stages of healing after an injury are as follows:
1. INFLAMMATORY STAGE: Occurs during the first week. There is increased blood flow, swelling, and discomfort as the healing process begins. Immune cells remove damaged and unhealthy tissue from the treated area.
2. FIBROBLASTIC STAGE: Starts about day three and continues for six weeks. Swelling and pain begin to subside. New blood vessels form with an improved blood and nutrient supply. Tissue repair cells (fibroblast) form new collagen, repairing the injured and unstable tissue.
3. MATURATION STAGE: Continues from six weeks to 18 months. New blood vessels mature. The tissues now become stronger with more organized and healthy fibers. Pain subsides. Collagen density and tissue strength increases. When the injured areas are injected with a Prolotherapy solution, a reaction begins, re-starting the three stage healing process described above. Studies have shown that the strength of the injected ligament can increase up to 40% above normal. Pain and muscles spasms decrease as stability increases. If during the three stages of the healing process, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), ice and or immobilization are used to reduce pain and inflammation, complete and normal healing will be inhibited. Most people are taught that inflammation is bad and don’t realize that, without inflammation, no healing will occur. Unfortunately, most physicians, when they see a patient with an injury immediately want to decrease the inflammation with elevation, ice and anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil, Aleve, etc. The end result is poor healing with weak loose joints and ligaments.
Prolotherapy's goal is to strengthens the joints, ligaments, and tendons, and decreases the pain by stimulating the body’s own repair and healing process. Tissues heal naturally and become stronger, without forming scar tissue. Several treatments spaced apart by about two to six weeks are usually required to get the full benefits. Each treatment builds on the previous until the desired outcome is obtained. All together it takes about six month to see results.
The procedure itself is a safe procedure when performed by a trained and highly skilled physician who has in-depth knowledge of anatomy and experience using this injection technique. Prolotherapy does not “cure” every painful condition, nor always eliminate 100% of one’s pain.
The vast majority of the patients who receive Prolotherapy (usually two to ten sessions) will receive at least 50% relief of their pain. Many even report complete resolution of their pain after a series of treatments. It is also important to know that Prolotherapy treatment only strengthens tissues. No structure is weakened like when using cortisone and no scars are formed. Chronic problems do not occur overnight and they do not heal that way either.
Additionally like any other medical procedure or treatment, these modalities not always work and you need to be aware of that.
Cutting Edge Technology.
Dr. Dieguez offers Orthobiologic Therapy treatments such as Bone Marrow MSC therapy, and PRP, and also PRolotherapy as a non-operative alternative for many conditions such as arthritic joints, ligament and tendon injuries such as rotator cuff tears, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and other ligaments and sports injuries.
The cells and PRP are obtained from the patient’s own bone marrow and peripheral blood so there is no risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission. We do not manipulate the cells in any way and the entire procedure is done as outpatient on the same day as this is the only way that can legaly be done in the US. You walk in and in an hour or two you walk out! There is no down time!
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROLOTHERAPY AND CORITSONE SHOTS
PROLOTHERAPY VS. CORTISONE
PROLOTHERAPY CORTISONE
Strengthens bone Yes No
Strengthens tendon-bone Attachments Yes No
Strengthens muscles Yes No
Strengthens and rebuilds ligament tissue Yes No
Leads to progressive and harmful arthritic changes No Yes
Suppresses the immune system No Yes
Inhibits growth hormone No Yes
Inactivates Vitamin D No Yes
Inhibits calcium absorption in the digestive tract No Yes