Prolotherapy involves injecting a dextrose or saline solution into an injury site to promote a healing response. It is a form of regenerative therapy or proliferation therapy.

There are different types of regenerative therapy, but they all aim to stimulate the body to repair itself. Dextrose or saline prolotherapy involves injecting a sugar or salt solution into a joint or other part of the body to treat a range of conditions, such as:

Other forms of regenerative therapy involve the injection of cells or cell products into the affected area to promote healing.

In this article, we detail the research behind prolotherapy, its uses, and what to expect during a session.

Dextrose prolotherapy and saline prolotherapy involve injecting a solution containing irritants — a saline or dextrose solution — into a specific area where damage or injury has occurred. These injections aim to trigger the body’s inflammatory healing processes in the area.

People mostly use it to help tendon injuries resulting from overuse and to tighten unstable joints.

A 2021 reviewTrusted Source of 10 studies involving 750 participants found that dextrose prolotherapy may be effective in helping to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain. Researchers also found that prolotherapy using dextrose was more effective than saline solutions or exercise.

In a 2015 studyTrusted Source, 24 people with knee osteoarthritis received three dextrose prolotherapy injections at 4-week intervals. They saw significant improvements in pain and other symptoms.

A 2016 reviewTrusted Source supported these findings but did not specifically evaluate its effects on acute pain. Researchers concluded that dextrose prolotherapy could help people with OA of the knee and fingers.

However, the studies have been small, and further research is necessary to assess the efficacy of the treatment fully in other conditions.

In addition, a 2023 systematic reviewTrusted Source about prolotherapy for osteoarthritis noted that existing research is not high quality enough to warrant a strong recommendation.

Prolotherapy is typically well-tolerated. However, there are risks involved with injecting substances into a joint.

Possible adverse effects include:

  • pain and stiffness
  • bleeding
  • bruising and swelling
  • infection
  • allergic reactions

Depending on the area being targeted by prolotherapy, less common adverse effects are:

  • spinal headache
  • spinal cord or disk injury
  • nerve, ligament, or tendon damage
  • a collapsed lung, known as pneumothorax

Speak to your doctor before seeking this kind of treatment. They may not recommend it. If they do, ask them for advice on finding a suitable provider.

Before providing prolotherapy, your healthcare professional will need to see any diagnostic images, including MRI scans and X-rays. Ask your doctor whether you should stop taking any existing medications before having the treatment.

During the procedure, the healthcare professional will:

  • clean your skin with alcohol
  • apply lidocaine cream to the injection site to reduce pain
  • inject the solution into the affected joint

The process should take around 30 minutes, including preparation, after you arrive at the facility.

Immediately after treatment, your doctor may apply ice or heat packs to the treated areas for 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, you’ll rest.

Then you’ll be able to go home.

Immediately after the procedure, you’ll likely notice some swelling and stiffness. Most people can resume normal activities by the next day, although bruising, discomfort, swelling, and stiffness may continue for up to a week.

Seek medical attention at once if you notice:

  • severe or worsening pain, swelling, or both
  • a fever

These could be a sign of infection.

Dextrose or saline prolotherapy involves injections of a saline or dextrose solution into a specific part of the body, such as a joint. In theory, the solution acts as an irritant, which may stimulate the growth of new tissues.

While it’s likely to be safe, there is a risk of adverse effects, and you may experience discomfort for some days after the treatment.