Prolotherapy for Joint and Tendon Pain
At SA Running Injury Clinic – North Adelaide & Eastwood
Natural Regeneration for Active People
Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection technique designed to reduce chronic joint and tendon pain by stimulating the body’s own healing response. It’s particularly effective for athletes and active individuals whose injuries have lingered despite physiotherapy or conventional treatments. At SA Running Injury Clinic, we utilise ultrasound-guided prolotherapy to target painful or degenerated tissue precisely—commonly treating conditions like knee arthritis, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and recurrent ankle pain.
By injecting a mild irritant solution (usually dextrose) into the affected ligaments, tendons, or soft tissues, we trigger controlled inflammation that encourages collagen repair and tissue strengthening. The result? Reduced pain, improved function, and better long-term outcomes—especially in active populations seeking to avoid surgery or repeated corticosteroid injections.
What the Research Shows: Strong Clinical Evidence
Clinical research underlines prolotherapy’s impressive results across several conditions:
- Knee Osteoarthritis (OA): A rigorous randomized controlled trial found that at 52 weeks, patients receiving prolotherapy reported significantly better improvements on the WOMAC score—a standard measure of pain, stiffness, and function—compared to both saline injection and exercise groups (15.3-point improvement vs 7.6 and 8.2 respectively). Systematic data also show that anywhere from 82% to 96% of patients experience moderate to marked improvement in pain, walking ability, and overall quality of life.
- Achilles Tendinopathy: Outcomes for Achilles tendinopathy are similarly encouraging, with systematic reviews reporting up to 90% of individuals experiencing significant reduction in pain and improved tendon function.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Controlled studies consistently show prolotherapy outperforms corticosteroid injections for long-term relief and lower recurrence—making it a preferred option for persistent heel pain.
- Chronic Ankle Pain and Instability: Among active individuals, prolotherapy has been shown to restore ligament strength and reduce the risk of re-injury, allowing a safer return to sport.
What to Expect from Prolotherapy Treatment
Each prolotherapy session at SA Running Injury Clinic begins with an in-depth biomechanical and clinical assessment. Ultrasound is used to precisely locate degenerated or irritated tissues in your knee, ankle, foot, or Achilles tendon. From there, we administer a carefully measured dextrose-based solution to stimulate healing. The procedure typically involves 2 to 4 sessions, spaced several weeks apart, depending on your condition and response.
Because we use real-time ultrasound guidance, the injections are safe, accurate, and well-tolerated. Most patients can continue walking and light activity immediately post-treatment. Over the following weeks, pain levels often decrease while strength and mobility improve progressively. There is little to no downtime, making this an ideal choice for runners, gym-goers, and those looking to stay active during their recovery.
Why We Recommend Prolotherapy Over Cortisone
Cortisone injections are still widely used for joint and tendon pain, but they offer only short-term symptom relief and come with potential downsides—such as tendon weakening, fat pad atrophy, and even rupture in weight-bearing areas like the Achilles. In contrast, prolotherapy encourages long-term healing rather than symptom masking, with fewer risks and no tissue degeneration. Studies consistently report higher success rates and longer-lasting pain relief with prolotherapy when compared directly to corticosteroid injections—especially for chronic tendon and plantar fascia injuries.
For runners, athletes, and active patients who want lasting results without compromising tissue health, prolotherapy is a smarter, safer option.