Prolotherapy for hip problem?

April 8, 2008 9:05 AM

I've got a 41-year-old friend with a degenerative hip condition who's considering prolotherapy to avoid or put off a hip replacement. The only info I can find on the Web about this treatment suggests quackery or inconclusive studies. Anybody have experience with prolotherapy, for good or ill?
posted by Shoggoth to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

well, according to the article you linked, mayo clinic is "starting" to support it, but other studies have basically said "meh" to it.

based on my limited knowledge of sclerotheraphy, it seems like prolotherapy is a good idea. but since studies haven't found it to be incredibly (or at all) useful, i'd say it's not worth it right now. i don't think enough studies have been done to really assert it's usefullness or it's long term effects.

however, i will say that they are doing AMAZING things with orthopedic implants and prosthetics, and while the surgery, recovery, and physical therapy will be a bitch, the ultimate result will be good. maybe even great.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:32 PM on April 8, 2008

wow. so many typos in that. i'm embarassed.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:33 PM on April 8, 2008

From the wikipedia article:
Prolotherapy involves the injection of an irritant solution into the area where connective tissue has been weakened or damaged through injury or strain.

I don't know what sort of degenerative hip condition your friend has, but osteoarthritis seems to be a common condition that leads to a hip replacement. It's not something that gets better from having stronger connective tissue.

I know 2 people who've had hip replacements and they all seem to be pretty happy with it in the long run. Both are more active now than before they had the surgery.
posted by yohko at 1:13 PM on April 8, 2008