
PROLOTHERAPY FOR NERVE PAIN AND NEUROPATHY
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral Neuropathy is a term to describe a problem with a nerve that extends in the legs and/or the feet. It can lead to areas that have a loss of feeling, burning, numbness, tingling or shooting neuropathic pain. This can shoot up or down the nerve from the injured site. There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy in the legs and feet, however Prolotherapy can be successful if the peripheral neuropathy is caused from a connective tissue injury (localised inflammation) or connective tissue entrapment/constriction.​

The nerve can be traumatised and result with localised neuropathy by two main situations:
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1\ Soft tissue constriction of structures around the nerve
2\ Hypersensitivity of a nerve as a result from a localised injured connective tissue that releases pro-inflammatory substances
How can Prolotherapy Help?
1\ The Glucose fluid at the injection site may help to hydrate and improve sliding of connective tissue. Dehydrated connective tissue can add to nerve pain by pressing on the nerve passing through it.
2\ The glucose binds to and inhibits the overactive nerve receptors, preventing this cascade of neuropathy symptoms and restoring normal nerve function. It can help break the chronic neuropathic pain cycle.
How is it done?
At Right Path Podiatry multiple injections of sterile glucose with a local anaesthetic are performed along the course of the affected subcutaneous nerves. These injections are performed with a very fine needle just under the skin. Some points may result in mild discomfort, but generally the discomfort only lasts a few minutes. Most patients notice an immediate reduction of pain after the first injection. This initial analgesic effect may last anywhere between hours to days, allowing the patient to start an exercise program aimed at further improving tissue healing. Most patients respond to well after 3-4 treatments, depending on how long the injury has been present, as well as the degree of the damage. Treatments are typically spaced 1-2 weeks apart.
Neural Prolotherapy for superficial structures is considered safe and does not have any major side-effects. Injections are done under aseptic conditions with minimal risk of infection.