Exploring Prolotherapy to Manage EDS

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a complex condition. This genetic disorder affects the body’s connective tissues, causing a range of symptoms, including most notably, chronic pain. 

One of the most challenging aspects of EDS is how debilitating this pain can be, impacting a person’s daily life and overall well-being. In the quest for effective pain management strategies, prolotherapy has emerged as a promising regenerative medicine treatment, which involves a series of injections into affected areas, aiming to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. 

This regenerative joint injection therapy uses solutions to stimulate healing and permanently strengthen and repair painful, injured joints – without surgery.

Prolotherapy has been used for years to treat a variety of conditions. However, if you’ve never encountered it, we know you have some questions that we’re here to answer, including: 

• How effective is prolotherapy for EDS? 
• What does the procedure entail? 
• What are the potential risks and benefits?

At NW Regen, we’re committed to patient education. This article delves into prolotherapy, its relevance to EDS, and the current understanding of its effectiveness and safety. Whether you’re an EDS patient, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional, this exploration into this regenerative therapy and prolotherapy for EDS pain management could provide valuable insights.

Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a genetic disorder. It primarily affects connective tissues, which provide support to skin, bones, and joints. EDS affects each person differently. Therefore, individual treatment plans are essential for managing symptoms effectively.

Connective tissues support our organs and hold parts of the body in place. They’re made of two proteins: collagen and elastin. Since EDS affects your body’s ability to produce collagen, people with EDS have connective tissue that isn’t as strong or supportive as it should be. 

The syndrome presents in various forms, each with unique characteristics. It’s crucial to obtain an accurate diagnosis for effective management. Symptoms and effects of EDS include: 

• HYPERMOBILITY: Joint hypermobility is a key feature of EDS. This means joints move beyond the normal range, leading to pain and instability.

STRETCHY, FRAGILE SKIN: Besides joint issues, skin can become overly stretchy and fragile. This can result in easy bruising and slow wound healing.

“More and more EDS patients are turning to regenerative medicine,” explains Dr. Ryan Wood of NW Regen in Portland, Oregon. “This is because treatments like prolotherapy have been proven to combat not only the pain of EDS, but its root cause, as our bodies actually hold the key to orchestrating a powerful healing process.”

Classic Chronic Pain Management Strategies for EDS

Chronic pain management for patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome requires a comprehensive approach. It involves a combination of medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments.

The chronic pain that accompanies EDS often stems from joint instability and soft tissue injuries.

The top conventional treatments for EDS patients include a combination of the following: 

• Prescriptions:  Opioids may be prescribed for severe pain. However, they come with risks and are not a long-term solution for most patients.
• Physical Therapy:  PT can enhance joint stability and strength. This may lead to reduced pain and improved quality of life.

OTHER STRATEGIES: These include assistive devices and mental health support to help individuals cope with pain and maintain daily activities.

What is Prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a regenerative medicine treatment that can help with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) by strengthening joints and ligaments and reducing chronic pain.

Prolotherapy is a regenerative treatment designed to promote natural healing. It involves injections into ligaments, tendons, or joints.

“Prolotherapy treatments involve injecting a solution into the affected area to create a localized inflammatory response,” explains Dr. Wood. “This stimulates the growth of new collagen, which strengthens the connective tissue and improves its ability to handle strain.” 

The additional collagen production helps stabilize joints, which are often hypermobile.

5 Potential Benefits of Prolotherapy for EDS Patients

1. Reduced Pain: One primary advantage is the reduction of chronic pain.
2. Improved Joint Stability: Patients may experience improved joint stability. This can be particularly beneficial for those with joint hypermobility issues.
3. Enhanced Joint Function: Another benefit could be enhanced joint function. This might lead to an increased ability to perform daily activities with ease.
4. Fewer Sublexations: Some EDS patients report experiencing fewer subluxations. This can significantly improve quality of life and reduce injury risk.
5. Fewer Pain Meds: Prolotherapy might also decrease reliance on pain medications, which is often beneficial in long-term pain management strategies.

How Does Prolotherapy Work?

The additional collagen your body produces—initiated by the series of prolotherapy injections—helps to stabilize joints, which are often hypermobile.

New collagen strengthens the connective tissue and improves its ability to handle strain.

Prolotherapy treatment solutions are intended to stimulate tissue repair and strengthen weakened areas. 

• They can contain any number of natural substances that help stimulate a healing response. They typically use solutions like dextrose or saline,
• Traditional formulas may include dextrose, saline, Sarapin, P2G, and pumice. 
• Prolotherapy injections are usually combined with local anesthetic agents to help reduce the pain of the injection. 

“Recently, more advanced forms of Prolotherapy have emerged, including formulas with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and adult stem cells,” explains Dr. Wood. 

“At NW Regen, all of our formulas are tailored to meet the specific needs of patients based on their individual diagnoses and treatment. As a patient, you’ll often undergo a series of injections. Our goal is to enhance the body’s natural healing process over time.” 

NW Regen offers a full spectrum of regenerative medicine treatments, including prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, and adipose-derived stem cell treatments.  

Although prolotherapy has roots in the mid-20th century, its popularity has grown lately due to its potential benefits in both pain management and joint stability. 

How Does Prolotherapy for EDS Work?

Prolotherapy aims to improve joint function over repeated sessions. 

Each treatment builds upon the previous one, fostering gradual progress. While results vary, the goal is to reduce pain and instability. In the context of EDS, the regenerative medicine treatment of prolotherapy offers a novel avenue for symptom management and the chance to rejuvenate and strengthen connective tissue, not just treat the pain. 

Prolotherapy’s effectiveness lies in its ability to stimulate repair in this three-step process: 

1. The injected solution acts as an irritant, prompting the body to respond. 
2. This response encourages inflammation, a crucial step in healing. 
3. As part of the healing process, the body sends nutrients to the targeted area.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by varying degrees of skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility, and vascular fragility. In medicine, the term “laxity” refers to the looseness or sagging of tissues.

In the treatment of EDS, prolotherapy can potentially strengthen lax tissues when the body is stimulated to produce more collagen. The additional collagen production helps stabilize joints, which are often hypermobile. With less pain and enhanced joint function, a patient is most likely going to be able to try activities they used to have to avoid. 

Prolotherapy Procedure: What to Expect

With reduction in pain, patients may find they are able to engage in activities they previously had to avoid. With a boost in joint stability, a patient’s confidence in movement increases.

With more stable joints, you may feel more confident to move  in new ways.

Here’s a step-by-step of what prolotherapy treatment entails: 

• Prolotherapy treatment typically begins with a comprehensive consultation. Your healthcare provider assesses your condition and suitability for the therapy.
• During the session, a sterile solution, often dextrose, is injected. The target areas are usually ligaments, tendons, or joints.
• Patients may experience mild soreness afterward. This is generally temporary and should subside within a few days.
• The procedure is performed with minimal discomfort. Local anesthesia may be applied to reduce any pain from the injections.

Multiple sessions are often required for optimal results. These are spaced several weeks apart, allowing time for healing and assessment.

Weighing the Risks: Side Effects and Considerations

When considering prolotherapy for EDS, it’s vital to weigh the risks. Understanding potential side effects is crucial for informed decisions. Having a supportive practitioner who knows what’s possible and can help manage expectations is key. 

Some patients may experience pain at injection sites.
This discomfort is usually temporary and resolves with time. 

There’s a risk of swelling and bruising.
These symptoms typically subside without intervention. 

In rare cases, more serious complications can occur.
Infections or nerve injuries, though uncommon, require prompt medical attention.

Careful evaluation by a qualified practitioner is essential. They can determine if prolotherapy is suitable based on your individual health conditions.

Comparing Prolotherapy to Other EDS Treatments

Prolotherapy’s uniqueness lies in its goal to stimulate healing. It offers a potential reduction in pain and improved joint stability, offering an alternative path to recovery—without surgery. 

• Physical therapy focuses on strengthening muscles to help stabilize joints and enhances mobility over time.
• Pain relievers can offer temporary relief but may have side effects.

Surgical interventions are sometimes considered for severe cases of EDS—to correct joint problems—tbut recovery can be challenging.

Is Prolotherapy Right for You?

Deciding on prolotherapy for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a personal choice. 

• It’s crucial to weigh prolotherapy’s potential benefits against its risks.
• A healthcare provider experienced in EDS and prolotherapy is necessary. 
• A tailored approach is essential due to varying symptoms.
• Patient support groups may offer insights. 

Every patient’s experience with EDS differs. Personalized treatment plans can guide you in making informed decisions.Shared experiences from others can be valuable resources. 

At NW Regen, we believe you should always stay informed and explore all available options.

Consider speaking with a healthcare provider experienced in EDS and prolotherapy, Dr. Ryan Wood. Contact NW Regen today to schedule your consultation.