Prolotherapy: A Literature Review and Retrospective Study

Robert G. Schwartz, M.D. and Noreen Sagedy, M.D. Prolotherapy: A Literature Review and Retrospective Study. The Journal of Neurological and Orthopadic Medicine and Surgery, Vol. 12. No. 3. 1991

Abstract

Proliferative therapy (Prolotherapy) is the process whereby dextrose, P25G or sodium morrhuate is injected into ligaments in order to produce a proliferating response of that ligament. The purpose of these injections is to strengthen ligamentous structures and relieve pain. A review of the literature is provided and a retrospective study presented which demonstrates a 66% redction of sacroiliac low back pain in two-thirds of the patients who received this form of treatment.

Key Words: Prolotherapy, Sclerotherapy, Low Back Pain, Sacroiliac pain.

Ligaments consist of many strands of fibrous tissue which may run parallel or crisscross at various angles to each other. They provide stabilization of joints in all positions. Pain occurs when normal tension on a ligament stretches the fibers. This results in stimulation of the sensory fibers which do not stretch along with the ligament1. In sprain or tearing, the fibers become separated from bone, and tthere is an accumulation of lymphy or blood at the site of injury. Healing occurs through initiation of the wound response cascade mediated by chemotactic agents and inflammatory cells. Fibrin is produced and develops into a permanent strong fibrous tissue attached to bone.

There is also a production of bone at the enthesis.1 The healing process can be interfered with. Subsequent activity can cause separation, or the repair capacity in the individual can be deficient. This results in ligament relaxation which is a weakness of the attachment. If this remains, predisposition to repeat injury, chronic pain, and altered range of motion can persist.1, 2

The healing process can be stimulated by the infiltration of a proliferative solution within the ligament. Thus, the development of firm permanent fibrous tissue with reduction of pain can take place.1-8

Literature Review

The rich supply of nerve endings in articular ligaments was first described by Lerich in 1930 and later by Gardner in 1953. Hackett described most joint pain as ligament pain. He was the first to scientifically demonstrate a method of strengthening ligaments by the injection of a proliferative solution. Inflammation was produced and a permanent increase in ligament size by 35-40% resulted.

Hackett claimed a cure rate of 82% in 1600 patients with low back pain.1 At this time, proliferative therapy was know as sclerotherapy. This was because the irritants used in Prolotherapy were thught to work by creation of scar tissue rather than by the development of proliferative response. Tome of the irritants used in prolotherapy had been used to sclerose varicose veins as well.5

A 1982 study by Li et al. quantified biochemically in a double-blind study the influence of injecting a proliferative solution (100ml of 5% sodium morrhuate) into rabbit medical collateral ligaments in situ. Results revealed a highly signigicant increase of the ligament’s mass, thickness, enthesis strength, and its weight/length ratio in comparison with the saline injected controls.9

A 1985 study, also using 5% sodium morrhuate, was conducted by Maynard et al. They did a series of five 100ml injections into intact rabbit patellar tendons and Achilles tendon. This study showed that not only is there an increase in the number of cells but also a wider variety of cell types, including fibroblast, neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and unidentifiable cells in the injected tissues. An increase in water content and amino sugar content were also noted. Interestingly, a decrease in the mean collagen fibril diameter and hydroxyproline content were documented despite an overall increase in fibrin mass.10

In 1987, a double-blind study was done by Ongley et al. comparing 40 patients who received spinal manipulation and ligament strengthening proliferative therapy with 41 patients who received minor manipulations and 0.9% saline injections. One injection per week was done for 6 weeks. The solution used was 2.5%phenal/25% dextrose/25% glycerin/47.5% pyrogen free water (P25G).

At 6 months following the end of the Prolotherapy treatments, 35 patients in the experimental group reported greater than 50% improvement compared with only 16 in the control group. Furthermore, 15 patients in the experimental group were disability-free compared with 4 patients of the control group reporting no disability.3

In a different study by R.G. Klein in 1989 histologic documentation of ligament proliferation in human subjects in response to proliferative injections was demonstrated. Biopsy specimens of posterior sacroiliac ligaments were performed pre- and posttreatment in three patients with low back pain. Each patient received a series of six weekly injections using the P25G solution into the sacroiliac ligaments. The proliferative injections resulted in collagen of objectively increased diameter and was associated with decreased pain along with an objective increase in range of motion.4

Biochemical Basis

The healing of a wound has been divided into three phases: 1.inflammatory (early and late), 2. granulation tissue formation, and 3. matrix formation and remodeling.11 Inflammation is the reaction of living tissues to all forms of injury. It involves vascular, neurologic, humoral, and cellular responses at the site of injury. Increased vascular permeability is the first mechanism. It allows the escape of plasma proteins and white cells. This is known as exudation. Neutrophils appear in perivascular spaces and they are followed by monocytes/macrophages.11

The most important chemotactic factors for both neutrophils and macrophages include C5a, a compnent of the complement system, leukotriene B4, a product of arachidonic acid metabolism, and bacterial products. Macrophages are also attracted by the basic peptides in the lysosomal granules of neutrophils and this explains why they appear as the second line of defense. These cells then destroy or neutralize the injurious agent by phagocytosis allowing for the repair of the damaged site to then occur.12

Repair is the process by which lost or destroyed cells are replaced by new, living cells. The tissue defect is initially filled up with highly vascularized connective tissue called granulation tissue. It consists of newly formed small blood cells embedded in loose ground substance containing fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. Fibroblasts migrate into the wound bed under the influence of chemotactic factor.11, 12

As granulation tissue matures, inflammatory cells decrease in number, fibroblasts lay down collagen, and the capillaries become less prominent. An avascular, relatively acellular tissue with inactive spindle-shaped fbroblasts tucked in between collagen fibers emerges. The collagen fibers then aggregate into mature fibrils. The acquisition of tensile strength follows a sigmoid curve.12 The orderly movement and proliferation of cells within a healing wound is influenced by both cell signals and extracellular matrix (e.g., fibronectin and growth-stimulating factors). Thus, a wound-healing cascade is present. The growth associated with repair is regulated and ceases when healing is completed.12

Proliferants are substances which cause a localized tissue reaction leading to an inflammatory response. The wound – healing cascade is thus triggered resulting in fibroplasia and collagen deposition. The healing cascade begins with granulocyte infiltration followed by monocyte/macrophage invasion. Growth factors are released and thus activated fibroblasts are recruited to the site to secrete new matrix. This new matrix includes collagen fibrils.2, 6, 7, 13

Any factor which leads to fibroplasia can be a proliferative. There are three categories of proliferants that have been used: irritants, osmotic shock agents, and chemotactic agents Irritants (e.g., phenol, quaicol, tannic acid, and quinine) create a local tissue reaction which causes granulocyte infiltration. Osmotic shock agents (e.g., glucose, glycerin, ZnSO4) creat a local tissue reaction to stimulate a granulocyte infiltration by dehydration. Dhemotactic agents (e.g., sodium morrhuate) cause direct activation of local inflammatory cells.13

In some instances the injected factor is altered in vivo. Phenol oxidizes to reactive quinine and sodium morrhuate as an arachidonic acid compound is a precursor to many cytokines, including leukotrienes, thromboxanes, and prostaglandins.13 Growth factors are a fourth category currently being researched at Biogenteic Laboratories (e.g., EFG, PDGF, IFG-I, FGF, TGF-beta). They directly recruit and activate local fibroblasts.13

Materials And Methods

The effects of prolotherapy on 43 patients with chronic sacroiliac strain were retrospectively reviewed. There were no sciatic tension signs, motor weakness, sensory deficits, or patients with bone abnormalities entered into the study. The patients had all failed to respond to other forms of treatment including surgery. Ages ranged from 20 to 70 years.

Treatment consisted of three injections into the insertion of the posterior sacroiliac ligament, beginning at its most caudal one-third and moving superiorly by one-third of its length with each injection (figure 1.) The injections were done 2 weeks apart. The proliferant used was a mixture of 1 cc of 5% sodium morrhuate and 1 cc of 1% Xylocaine. A needle of proper length was used that assured the proliferant was placed on bone. The solution was distributed throughout the fibro-osseous junction.

Each patient was informed that there would be a 2- to 3- day period of discomfort in the area of the injection due to the initiation of the wound-healing cascade. Instructions were given to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, or other prostaglandin inhibitors, and to use only acetaminophen to relieve pain. Activity was encouraged. The patients were instructed in sacroiliac mobilization exercises and fitted with a sacroiliac belt.

Each patient was seen on 2-week follow-up after the third injection. Subjective percentages of relief were recorded. If satisfactory pain relief had been obtained, they were discharged from treatment and instructed to return on an as-needed basis.

Results

At the conclusion of the three injection series, on 2-week follow-up, 20/43 patients reported 95% improvement, 31/43 75% or better improvement, and 35/43 reported 66% or better improvement. Thus, 2/3 of the patients received 66% relief. No improvement was reported by 3/43. While no formal mechanism for prolonged follow-up was in place 10/40 or 25% reported some level of recurrence (Table 1).

No. of Patients
(43 total)
0%
Relief
33%
Relief
50%
Relief
66%
Relief
75%
Relief
99%
Relief
Reported Relief 3 1 4 4 11 20
Recurrence
(10 total)
1 1 2 2 4

Table 1. Relief obtained in 43 patients after a series of prolotherapy injections (three injections, once every other week).

Discussion

The sacroiliac joint can be considered to be unstable when the ligaments are relaxed. Because of this joint’s weight-bearing spinal mechancis the ligaments supporting it frequently become damaged. This can lead to intense pain, which may become chronic. It can result in abnormal compensatory movement as well. The altered spinal kinesiology can lead to further injury of other structures such as lumbar vertbrae, sacrum, and intervertebral disks.

Prolotherapy is designed to strengthen the sacroiliac ligaments so as to develop normal tension in them. Numbing of the ligament with Xylocaine and obtaining immediate relief provides for temporary comfort from the injection. The ensuing painful reaction that occurs from the proliferative injection represents the activity of the initiated wound-healing response. Prostaglandin inhibiting medications should be avoided.

It important to choose the proliferative solution wisely and to make sure the needle is on bone when injecting. Three cases of paralysis and two deaths have been documented after inadvertant injection of psyllium seed oit and zinc sulfate into the subarachnoid space.14-16

Other investigators have used a phenol/dextrose/glycerin solution (P25G) and obtained significant results without complications. While the percentage of phenol in P25G is very dilute and probable safe, many clinicians prefer to use either dextrose or sodium morrhuate, as both of these agents have also been used intravenously for other medical conditions.8, 17

Prolotherapy has been utilized at other ligamentous structures in addition to the sacoiliac area. Intraspinous, ileolumbar, fibulocalcaneal, medial and lateral collateral (about the knee), radiohumeral, coracoclavicular, and sternoclavicular ligaments are frequent ligamentous injection sites. Intraarticular ligamentous injections have also been performed.2, 7, 8

Although this study is a retrospective one, the data support the studies of Lui, Maynard, Ongley, and Klein. While we have not done biopsy studies to prove a proliferative effect occurred, we did obtain significant pain relief without any undue side effects.2, 3, 9, 10

Figure 1. Needle Location used for injection of the sacroiiac ligaments.
Trigger point of ligaments: (IL) Iliolumbar: (LS) Lumbosacral-supra and interspinus: (A,B,C,D,) Posterior sacroiliac; (SS) Sacroapinus; (ST) Sacrotuberus;(SC) Sacrococcygeal;(H) Hip-Articular; (SN) Sciatic nerve (With permission from G.S. Hackett, Ligament and Tendon Relaxation. Charles C. Thomas Co., 1958)

Conclusion

We conclude from this study and the aforementioned literature that it is possible to induce proliferation of collagen in human ligaments using prolotherapy. The tissue that proliferates is a dense collagen and is associated with a reduction in pain. Mechanical back pain can be relieved by this method and other compensatory injuries prevented.

References

  1. Hackett GS. Ligament and tendon relaxation treated by prolotherapy, 3rd ed. Springfield, Ill: Charles C. Thomas, 1958
  2. Cyriax J. Textbook of orthopaedic medicine. Philadelphia: Bailliere Tindall, 1982.
  3. Onlgey MJ, Klein RG, Dorman TA, Eek BC, Hubert LJ. A New Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain. Lancet. 1989; 11:143-146.
  4. Klein RG, Dorman TA Johnson CE. Proliferant injections for low back pain: histological changes of injected ligaments and objective measurements of lumbar spine mobility before and after reatment. J Neurol Orthop Med Surg. 1989; 10:123-126.
  5. Injection therapy helps low back pain, study reveals. Back Pain Monitor. 1988; 6:12:161-172.
  6. Gearhardt JJ. Interdisciplnary rehabilitation in trauma. Baltimore, Md: Williams and Wilkins, 1987.
  7. Mirman MJ. Sclerotherapy. Springfield, PA, 1986.
  8. Leedy RF. Basic techniques of sclerotherapy. Osteop Med. 1987;9.
  9. Liu YK, Tipton CM, Matthes RD, An in situ study of the influence of a sclerosing solution in rabbit medial collateral ligaments and its junction strength. Connect Tissue Res. 1983; 11:95-102.
  10. Maynard JA, Pedrini VA, Pedrini-Mille A, Romanus B, Ohlerking F. Morphological and biochemical effects of sodium morrhuate on tendons. J Orthop Res. 1985;3:236-248.
  11. Wyngarden JB. Cecil textbook of medicine. Philadelphia;W.B. Saunders, 1988.
  12. Robbins SL, Kumar V. Basic pathology, 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1987.
  13. Banks A. Biochemical effects of prolotherapy. First Annual High Country Prolotherapy Workshop, Denver, Co., 1989.
  14. Hunt WE, Baird WC. Complications following injections of sclerosing agent to precipate fibro-osseouis proliferation. J Neurosurg. 1961; 18:461-65.
  15. Keplinger JE, Bucy PC. Paraplegia from treatment with sclerosing agents-report a case. JAMA. 1960: 73:1333-36.
  16. Schneider RC, Williams JI, Liss L. Fatality after injection of sclerosing agent to precipitate fibro-osseous proliferation. JAMA. 1960; 170:1768-1772.
  17. Lawson AW. Acute esophageal variceal sclerotherapy. JAMA. 1986; 255:497-500.

About the author:  Dr. Schwartz is a Prolotherapy doctor in Greenville, South Carolina:  Contact him


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