Prolozone Injection Therapy

Prolozone is a technique that combines the principles of neural therapy, Prolotherapy, and ozone therapy. It involves injecting combinations of procaine, anti-inflammatory medications, homeopathics, vitamins, minerals, proliferatives, and ozone/oxygen gas into degenerated or injured joints, and into areas of pain. The result of this combination is nothing short of remarkable in that damaged tissues can be regenerated, and otherwise untreatable pain can be significantly improved. The theory is that prolozone works by improving oxygen utilization in a localized area of damaged connective tissue, allowing it to heal, and to restore full function.

- Journal of Prolotherapy. 2011;3(2):630-638.

There is a naturally occurring decrease in circulation to ligaments and joints resulting in decreased oxygen and nutrient supply. The oxygen availability in a healthy ligament is often only 1/10th that of the tissue located several millimeters away. The same is true for joints. This issue is further compromised with aging. The result is a naturally occurring decrease in oxygen utilization in these tissues. In the event of a trauma or injury inflammation and edema can cause a further decrease in oxygen availability. The decrease results in lactic acid production, free radical damage, and tissue death, which serves as the foundation for nerve irritation and injury, causing chronic pain.  Ozone nutrient injection therapy breaks the pain cycle and allows tissues to heal.

Each component of Prolozone has a specific biological purpose. Procaine acts to reset pain receptors. Anti-inflammatory agents decrease edema and swelling.  Vitamins and minerals provide necessary nutrients for healing.  The ozone stimulates an immune response to aid in healing.

The important effect of injecting a gas, unlike injecting a liquid, which will just pool in the area of injection, is that gases expand when injected, and move around areas of inflammation. This fact is exploited in the Prolozone technique. The effect is that very large areas, and difficult to reach areas, are treated with only one injection. This decreases the number of injections needed to treat a given area, and also greatly decreases the chance of missing the area of primary involvement.

Most patients notice an almost immediate 50-80% decrease in pain following a Prolozone treatment. This is largely due to the effect of the procaine, but ozone also has a significant ability to directly relieve pain, too.  Lamberto Re, a medical doctor and soccer team physician in Verona, Italy routinely injects the acutely injured areas of his players with ozone alone. He does not use procaine. And he reports a marked decrease in pain as well as an improved rate of healing.

Chronic areas of degeneration such as in osteoarthritic knees, hips, and ankles will regenerate. Although more research is needed to fully document this effect, some physicians have already taken pre and post treatment x-rays that have shown an increase in cartilage thickness in knees treated with Prolozone. And fortunately, other than a rarely occurring and temporary increase in pain in an area injected, no significant side effects from Prolozone have ever been demonstrated.  Other than the possibility of an allergy to one of the liquid components, there are no contraindications to its use.

The following conditions have been found to be very responsive to Prolozone:

• Chronic Neck and Back Pain from any cause
• Rotator Cuff Injuries,
• Degenerative and arthritic hips, knees, and ankles
• Degenerated Discs
• Plantar Fasciitis,
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• TMJ - Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
• Sciatica Pain
• Heel Spurs
• Neuromas
• Tennis Elbow
• Sinus Infections
• Pelvic Disorders
• Dental Infections
• Post-op pain
• Non-union Fractures
• Painful Scars
• Sports Injuries
• Basically anything that hurts.