We call the stimulation of wound healing mechanisms by injecting solution into damaged ligaments, tendons and joints, repairing and reshaping tissues in this way as prolotherapy. Prolotherapy is the most successful in cases where the healing of tendon and ligament problems after trauma is not sufficient and causes chronic pain.
Prolotherapy is a treatment method that provides natural healing for both athletes and other segments of society. Tissue injuries that cause painful conditions can be treated without surgery, thanks to prolotherapy.
Today, most of the causes of pain in the elbow are due to damage to the muscle tendons and ligaments in this region. If left untreated after damage occurs, muscle and tendon laxity and chronic inflammation occur. After 4-6 weeks, chronic pain due to degeneration begins. The purpose of prolotherapy is to stimulate these damaged tendons and ligaments with solutions to regenerate and remodel (reshape), so that the cause of degeneration in the elbow region will be eliminated, and the pain will also be relieved.
Conditions that cause pain in the elbow; Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis), olecranon bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, cubital tunnel syndrome, gout, infectious arthritis, tendinitis, joint capsule injuries caused by blunt and penetrating traumas. Tendinitis, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and olecranon bursitis are caused by the weakening of tendons and ligaments in this region.
Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, is a problem characterized by pain in the lateral epicondyle of the elbow.
It may occur after forcing, repetitive wide grasping movements while the extensor muscles of the hand and wrist are in tension (eg, in butchers, painters, plumbers, busy housewives) or after direct traumas to this area.
The most prominent complaint is tenderness and pain when touching the outer protruding region of the elbow, called the lateral epicondyle. Pain increases in movements that bend the wrist, especially while grasping rough objects. The patient describes pain in the elbow area during movements such as lifting the teapot.
Pain is minimal when the arm is not used, but sharp and stinging under stress, causing premature fatigue. Such pain complaints can last for years. Although every age group is at risk, it is common in the 35-55 age group.
Golfer’s elbow is a disease characterized by pain and tenderness in the bony prominence (medial epicondyle) on the inside of the elbow. The tendons of the arm muscles, which are responsible for the inward flexion of the wrist, attach to the medial epicondyle. Golfer’s elbow can occur due to overuse of these muscles. When the muscles are overused, the tendons are subjected to repetitive pulling forces in the area they attach. As a result, inflammation and small tears occur in the tendons. This also causes pain.
Medial epicondylitis is also known as golfer’s elbow because it is common in golfers. It can also be seen in people who do racquet sports, who write constantly, and carpenters. Golfer’s elbow pain is on the inside of the elbow, may radiate to the inner edge of the forearm, and increase in pain when the hand is made into a fist. Golfer’s elbow is most common in men aged 20 to 49 years. This can also affect people who repeatedly put pressure on their wrists and fingers. Work or sport increases the risk.
As a result of overloading the tendon, the continuous use of the tendon without overloading, and some rheumatic diseases directly forcing the tendon, an inflammation develops in the tendon. Over time, the tendons begin to harden in this area and the pain gradually increases. The most common cause of medial epicondylitis in the clinic is due to long-term use, and the treatment of this type takes longer.
Treatment of elbow pain:
Pre-treatment: Reducing pain and muscle spasm to control the inflammatory response (protection, rest).
Definitive treatment: Combined with prolotherapy and stretching-strengthening exercises programs until complete recovery during the repair phase and reshaping.
Prolotherapy treatment is an injection method that is tailored to the individual and applied in 15-30 day periods. The injected liquid is not a chemical substance, drug or steroid (cortisone, etc.); A combination of concentrated dextrose and diluted local anesthetic is used. It is ensured that the tissue is recreated in its original form in a natural way. One of the most striking aspects of the prolotherapy method is that there is no physical restriction during the treatment and it does not require rest. On the contrary, stretching and strengthening exercises and movements aimed at improving joint range of motion are applied to patients as a complement to prolotherapy treatment.
Unlike the traditional approach, cold application, elevation, compression application, use of non-steroidal painkillers and steroid injections have no place in our practice.
