Regenerative injections for pain that won't quit

Prolotherapy stimulates your body's own repair process to strengthen damaged ligaments and tendons, a nonsurgical option for chronic injuries that haven't responded to other treatments.

Book a prolotherapy consult (08) 6263 4686

Nonsurgical, minimal downtime
Strengthens ligaments and tendons
Improvement usually within 1 to 3 treatments

JS Podiatry podiatrist administering a prolotherapy injection to a patient's ankle

Why prolotherapy instead of a cortisone shot?

Steroid injection

Addresses the inflammation only. Weakens ligaments and tendons over time, and delays bone healing, relief now, at a structural cost.

Prolotherapy

Strengthens soft tissue and assists repair. The treated area becomes stronger and more stable, which is why it's considered regenerative medicine.

Read the full comparison on the blog →

Four steps from chronic to stable

1. Assess

History and careful palpation around the injury map exactly where the weakened tissue is, and where the injections should go.
2. Inject

A dextrose and local anaesthetic solution: the anaesthetic relieves pain immediately, the glucose triggers your body's own repair response.
3. Strengthen

Usually four appointments, two weeks apart. Improvement typically shows within one to three treatments as tissue rebuilds.
4. Maintain

For some conditions, like midfoot arthritis, maintenance sessions every three to six months keep the gains.

Made for ligaments that gave up early

Prolotherapy earns its place against:

After each session: expect dull soreness for a day or three, skip strenuous exercise for two days, keep gentle movement up, and hold off ice and medicines that reduce inflammation, which work against the healing the injection just started.

A podiatrist delivering an injection to the foot in the East Perth clinic

Podiatrists experienced across prolotherapy conditions
Combined with shockwave, orthotics and rehab where it helps
Every plan tailored to your goals
East Perth clinic, no referral needed

Frequently asked questions

What does a prolotherapy treatment involve?

A thorough history and palpation of pain around the area of injury determines the injection sites. Prolotherapy is an injection of dextrose/glucose and lignocaine (local anaesthetic). The local anaesthetic takes effect immediately, relieving pain for a short duration, while the glucose solution triggers the body's own inflammation process to begin healing.

How many prolotherapy sessions will I need?

Initially, four appointments placed two weeks apart are usually required. Depending on the individual case, maintenance appointments may be needed three to six months apart, for example with midfoot arthritis. Improvement in symptoms usually occurs after 1 to 3 treatments.

How is prolotherapy different from steroid injections?

Steroid injections only address inflammation, and they weaken ligaments and tendons and delay bone healing. Prolotherapy strengthens soft tissue and assists tissue repair, which is why it is considered a form of regenerative medicine.

What should I expect after a prolotherapy injection?

Some patients experience dull pain and soreness at the injection site for 1 to 3 days afterwards. Avoid strenuous exercise for 2 days, but keep up gentle, non painful activities such as stretching, as this aids healing. Avoid ice over the area and try to avoid anti inflammatory medications and topical treatments, as they may interfere with the healing process.

Meet the podiatrists you'll see

Mathew MillarPodiatrist · BSc DPMBiomechanics & rehabilitationBook with Mathew
Alycia LeePodiatrist · BSc DPMInjury rehab, paediatrics & skin and nail careBook with Alycia
Lucy WeekesSenior Podiatrist · BPodMedComplex lower limb care & runnersBook with Lucy
Shivani PariharSenior Podiatrist · BSc DPMPaediatrics & sports rehabBook with Shivani