Prolotherapy Research

Definition = Injection intended to stimulate healing of soft tissue. 

Research on Dextrose, Platelet Rich Plasma, Stem Cells, and other Proliferants 

Alternate Term:  Regenerative Injection Therapy (RIT) 

Site Administrator: K. Dean Reeves, M.D., AAPM&R, Clinical Associate Professor, University of Kansas.   DeanReevesMD@gmail.com

 

STEM CELLS:   There is a single case report of use of stem cells for knee injection. This article will be very interesting reading.  The PDF is available on line for purchase from the journal. The reference is Centeno CJ, Busse D, Kisiday J, Keohan C, Freeman M, Karli D. Increased knee cartilage volume in degenerative joint disease using percutaneously implanted, autologous mesenchymal stem cells. Pain Physician (United States), May-Jun 2008.    I have placed the abstract and comments about this study in Research under  "Case studies with Objective Measures. "    Bottom line is that current technology requires harvesting marrow on several occasions and isolating and growing certain types of stem cells in culture since most of the marrow stem cells  are not of the preferred type.  Obviously, costs are high with this treatment and  cost versus benefit  will be a consideration as technology improves.   Dr Centeno did a very good job with this writeup.  Naturally diagnosis is absolutely critical  with use of stem cells. There are some other studies,  but not targeting cartilage and ligament and tendon. 

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