Injection therapy has steadily become the preferred choice of treatment in Canada for patients suffering from body pain. It is non-surgical and requires less recovery time.

You may have heard of the terms PRP therapy and Prolotherapy being discussed in this context. They’re both forms of injection treatment that target the musculoskeletal system and are used to treat painful joints, ligaments and tendons in different parts of the body.

Instead of suppressing pain and inflammation, they restore the affected areas naturally.

So what’s the difference between the two and is it worth it?

Procedure

The primary difference between Prolotherapy and PRP is the substance being injected. In Prolotherapy, a natural irritant such as dextrose is injected to create inflammation. The contents of these injections then attract granulocytes. The granulation tissue is rich in fibroblasts and mononuclear cells, which are ultimately responsible for healing the area.

On the other hand, PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma is where a concentrated solution of the patient’s own blood is injected into the affected area. 50cc of blood is drawn and inserted in a centrifuge, which then separates the contents of the blood. The platelet-rich concentrate is then taken and injected into the wound. Platelets hold a large amount of bio-active proteins and growth factors which accelerate tissue regeneration.

Costs

One prolotherapy injection can cost about $300 to $1000, depending on the area being treated. PRP treatment is a bit pricier and can range from $500 to $2000 per injection.

Prices may also vary significantly depending on the location, facilities and expertise of the doctor providing the treatment.

Generally, the treatment is administered multiple times within a span of about two months between each consecutive injection. The average prolotherapy treatment takes four to six injections, while PRP works more rapidly, generally taking only two to four injections.

The cost of injection treatments are not yet covered by insurance. However, it should be noted that several famous athletes such as golf icon Tiger Woods, baseball pro Alex Rodriguez and the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant all used PRP treatment to heal injuries and were able to play some of their best games after.

Risks

Injection therapy overall has lower risk levels compared to surgery. General anesthesia and hospital stays are often not required. The time needed for rehabilitation and recovery is much shorter and the chance of contracting an infection is considerably lower.

Research conducted to date has shown overwhelmingly positive results. One study showed that it provided superior results compared to alternative treatment modalities for Achilles tendinopathy. Another small study conducted on a group of 13 people showed improved function and reduced pain among participants.

Whatever route you choose, you should always get treatment from a trained and certified doctor. RegenerVate has some of the best injection therapy doctors in the greater Toronto area.

To discuss your options with them, call us at +1-855-847-3975 for an appointment at one of our clinics today.