Prolotherapy: An alternative for repair of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries In Dogs
Prolotherapy is defined as “proliferation therapy,” or “proliferative injection therapy”.
It involves injecting an irritant type solution into the region of tendons or ligmaents to strengthen the weak tissues, causing scar tissue to form, and help re-stabilize the joint.
Prolotherapy has been used for over 30 years to repair joint injuries in people.
The injected material produces a thickening of the joint capsule and of the external ligaments of the joint.
Over time the thickened ligaments eventually come together, strengthening the joint.
Prolotherapy is usually performed over takes place in 5 to 6 sessions 3 weeks apart.
The joint is clipped, and cleaned with a surgical scrub.
Injections are carefully placed in the area where the cruciate ligament attaches to the joint.
During the procedure most dogs are sedated, but not anesthetized.
Veterinarians performing this claim to see positive results typically after 3 treatments.
There are few veterinary practitioners performing this procedure, although clearly it is worthy of some research; especially in light of the costs associated with ACL surgical repair.
This would be a procedure best geared towards a dog with a partial ACL tear, using some physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy to strengthen the joint.
Long term the dog should be an effective joint supplement.
Here is a video of prolotherapy on a person:
Dr. Andrew J
This is a Big NO!
It may be a very temperary sort of relief but not a fix!
If in doubt go see a Orthropaedic Doctor for humans or canines.
I work at the Vet School in Missouri and in a Orthopaedic research Lab. We work with Cartilage and Synovium tissue. If it were that easy by injection of irritant type solution, research on ACL, cartilage, Synovium repair would be at a stand still. We have a long way to go but there are many really good procedures for an injury of the Orthopaedic type.
What about total knee replacement? I read that it only costs about $5,000 for total canine knee replacement, while to fix an ACL total tear with TPLO or fishingline that breaks in 3-6 months or kevlar bands that don’t stretch costs about $4,000. And a Brace costs about $1,000.
I am trying to find a brace co that really cares. I spoke to one that has done these for 20 years, but quite rude, and nickle and dime you to death, I have a bad feeling about buying the brace. I read that orthopets is owned by a zionist and thats why they are trying to rip off dog lovers and steal as much money as they can, and make you sign some contract that basically screws you for life with them.
Read some helpful info at NaturalNews.com With Canine Knee Replacement, many active dogs can return to being active in less than a year. Scared about complications with surgery, but laying down to die because one can no longer walk is not a good alternative either. Will try the Brace possibly or may sign up for Total Knee Replacement if I can get health credit card that the vet can sign up for so I can pay for it as I am unemployed and my business was closed caused by this usa zionist gov caused depression.
How much do the injections in the knee cost? If the dog cannot return to normal activity, then may just have to swallow the rock and go with total canine knee replacement and hope that is the right decision.
Very hard to get correct info with so much conflicting info about ACL CCL Crucial Ligament tears and complete tears. Many testimonials are paid for by seo but not real, just to help sell a surgery or sell a brace. I want to find info from those that have gone thru the knee replacement surgery, and those that tried the knee brace on a full tear.
This dog is the love of my life, and is an amazing emotional creature and I am worried about all the depression of not being able to move or walk after surgery.
Can prolotherapy be successful with complete ccl tears or only psrtial tear,???