[DianaB]

Our vet wants us to consider prolotherapy for Siena's right hip (mod-severe HD). I've read up a bit on it, but wondered if anyone here has experience with it (either human or dog) and what the outcome was and any challenges they faced.

Siena had her left hip replaced in March of this year and we're not ready (financially, emotionally, physically) to do the other hip (and may never be ready).

So, we are considering this as a less invasive procedure with hopes to improve things and delay any further surgery necessary.

Would love to hear any feedback and THANKS!

 

[Lin]

I'd love to try prolotherapy on myself! I'm on a message board for a genetic disorder I have, and a lot of people there have tried prolotherapy and give rave reviews. I've never heard anything negative about it yet.

 

[DianaB]

I'd love to try prolotherapy on myself! I'm on a message board for a genetic disorder I have, and a lot of people there have tried prolotherapy and give rave reviews. I've never heard anything negative about it yet.

Maybe the only negative is the pain after? Definitely worth investigating and if we end up doing it (no hurry, of course), then I'll be sure to let you know.

Is there a human forum related to the topic that I could look at?

 

[Lin]

Here's the group where I've read the posts on prolo ceda : CEDA's EDS mailing list family! I don't think anyone would mind if you wanted to join and ask for feedback on prolotherapy!

 

[mastiffsue]

Hi Diana - I was doing some more research on Prolotherapy and ran across your question. I have a foster rescue mastiff that is going through prolotherapy right now and it is helping him. It was determined that a TTO or a TPLO would not work for him and the only thing that would would be 2 total knee replacements. The only thing I do not like is that he is put under anesthesia each time : ( . It takes him 2-3 days to fully recover and he has treatments every 2 weeks. I'm trying to research if that can be stretched out longer. He has had 4 treatments so far, along with electric acupuncture. He will never be "fixed" but he is off of all pain meds now. I don't know what else you were looking for as far as information but if you ask, I will try to answer!

 

[DianaB]

Hi Diana - I was doing some more research on Prolotherapy and ran across your question. I have a foster rescue mastiff that is going through prolotherapy right now and it is helping him. It was determined that a TTO or a TPLO would not work for him and the only thing that would would be 2 total knee replacements. The only thing I do not like is that he is put under anesthesia each time : ( . It takes him 2-3 days to fully recover and he has treatments every 2 weeks. I'm trying to research if that can be stretched out longer. He has had 4 treatments so far, along with electric acupuncture. He will never be "fixed" but he is off of all pain meds now. I don't know what else you were looking for as far as information but if you ask, I will try to answer!

Thanks for the information. Our vet did indicate that anesthesia is likely, and similar to you, I don't like that. Siena's been under already multiple times, sometimes she's great after, sometimes she's a bear, just depends (plus the whining is not fun too!).

Have they said how long the treatment lasts once the set of treatments is done? Does he have any exercise restrictions immediately after the injection (assume for a few days he has to take it easy). Couldn't be worse than 3 months with no exercise like she had with the hip replacement! Accupuncture never did much for Siena that we could tell. (I tried it for myself and it didn't help much either). Thanks for any info you can provide

 

[mastiffsue]

Vet said once the treatments are done, they are done. He should need nothing more (at first said 3-6 treatments, we are at 4 and he now says he may need more). The first one we did without anesthesia and while Toby did OK (just got a little testy a few times, as I imagine that large needle poking in his knees does really hurt, and a bunch of the needles fell out during acupuncture and it was harder to turn him over while awake)... vet felt he would get a better treatment if anesthesized. And he does... more needles for acupuncture in more places (like above his eye and in his foot pads) and not having to worry about the pain of prolotherapy injection because they do really move that large needle around. We do it every two weeks but I've been reading and most websites state every 2-6 weeks so I'm going to see if we can push this one back another week. It seems that it takes Toby 3-4 days to come out of anesthesia, and part of this is most likely the pain referred to in the articles of prolotherapy, then he is good for about 2 days, then fantastic for about 4 days, then back to good, then it's time for another treatment. I'd like to have another week in there to see what happens. I'm not sure vet will go for this yet as I haven't asked. I haven't had an issue with restricting Toby's exercise as he is not an active mastiff at all with knees that are virtually bone on bone and "crunchy", although he is only 2. I don't think they'd want to do much after treatment, but if they did, I'd restrict it for 2-3 days but would ask your vet to be sure.

 

[DianaB]

Thanks for all the information, this is great to learn about. We're super hesitant (if I said it already, sorry) about the multiple anesthesia's though. She doesn't always do that great while under, so I want to be careful. This is great info, so thanks very much.

 

[mastiffsue]

I completely understand as I was very hesitant too and still am each time. If another person from the rescue hadn't gone with me the 2nd time, I don't know that I would have done it. Try it without anesthesia and see how she does. I'd love to hear how she is doing when she starts the treatments too. I can't remember which website it was, but one of them said you could see the improvement with x-rays (filling in of the "cushion" between the joints).

 

[bocron]

What about stem cell? Not trying to throw a monkey in the works, but prolo seems kind of left field to me. The actual substance used can vary (from toxins to plain sugar water) which is why we abandoned the idea when we looked into it a couple of years ago. I have 4-5 friends/clients who have done stem cell on their dogs and have had amazing results. The recovery is minimal and cost is reasonable. (compared to surgery, that is)