Prolotherapy treatment of low back pain and sciatica.

PROLOTHERAPY IS the treatment of relaxed ligaments by the injection of sclerosing agents into the ligaments and tendons. This sets up a proliferative reaction which follows the laws of inflammation the end result of which is the formation of fibrous connective tissue. The application of Prolotherapy to treatment of low back pain and sciatica is derived from the work of Leriche and Steindler. Leriche's (1) studies revealed the rich supply of sensory nerve endings in articular ligaments and advocated the infiltration of these ligaments with local anesthetics for the relief of pain after sprains and fractures. The studies of Steindler and Luck (2), (1925 and 1938) indicated that irritation of ligaments of the lumbosacral region may act as trigger points resulting in local pain and in secondary conducted pain to specific dermatome or areas in the lower extremities. Infiltration of these regions with a local anesthetic, abolishes both the local and referred pain. Hackett (3), Baer (4), Steinbrocher (5), Travel and Travel (6), confirmed the above work and concluded that both the local and referred pain has its origin within the ligaments.