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MISSION IS TO EDUCATE THE WORLD ON THE LIFE-CHANGING EFFECTS
OF PROLOTHERAPY |
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REMARKABLE
RECOVERIES
Prolotherapy
Gets College
Basketball Player
Back on the Court
Mark T. Wheaton, MD & John
Manley
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abstract
Prolotherapy is the definitive treatment choice when it
comes to connective tissue injuries (ligaments, muscles,
tendons, joints) from any cause, such as a sports
injury, as is illustrated in the following case report.
Usual conservative care options (rest, medications,
ice, heat, epidural steroid injections, physical therapy,
strengthening and stretching exercises, and massage)
were tried without success and lumbar spine surgery
(laminectomy, diskectomy) was performed after multiple
imaging studies without notable benefit.
After a thorough history, physical examination, and
record review were completed, it was determined that
this Division I college basketball player had unrecognized
and untreated connective tissue injuries. Because the
Prolotherapy treatment method is the only medical
intervention that is known to stimulate natural healing,
produce collagen, strengthen damaged and weakened
ligaments and tendons, stabilize joints, and subsequently
eliminate pain and increase function, the patient/athlete
and I decided on pursuing this course of treatment.
Despite the length of time since the injury (over two
years), the lack of improvement with both conservative
and surgical care, and the extreme demands of an elite
college athlete, there was a great deal of optimism about
the outcome, provided a consistent, complete, and
aggressive plan using Prolotherapy was followed.
The final results exceeded expectations. The patient/athlete followed
the recommended course of treatment
and after six Prolotherapy treatments using either a
12.5% dextrose solution or a 0.5% sodium morrhuate
solution, he has returned to full-time, unrestricted
participation with his college basketball team and
reports none of the pain which he previously experienced.
This case highlights the need for greater access and early
utilization of this effective treatment approach for
athletes, workers, and others with injuries and chronic
pain. Further study and education would also facilitate
the acceptance of Prolotherapy as a cost-effective solution.
Journal of Prolotherapy. 2009;1:32-35.
KEYWORDS: back pain, bulging discs, college basketball,
connective tissue injury,
degenerative disc disease, musculoligamentous
sprain, Prolotherapy, sacroiliac
instability, sciatica, spinal stenosis, sports
injury. |
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The
Physician’s Perspective
Mark T. Wheaton, MD
HISTORY
When a highly trained, elite athlete returns to
his sport after having back surgery and being
told he will never play basketball again, it is a
true testament to the Prolotherapy treatment method and
the body’s ability to heal itself.
John Manley was exactly this type of patient. Having
received a full scholarship for Division I Basketball at Cal
Poly University in California, John had high hopes for
an exciting career, only to be dashed halfway through his
freshman season by a career-threatening back and hip
injury. He was undercut as he was attempting a slam dunk
and landed flat on his lower back, resulting in excruciating
pain.
Prior to his initial visit, John had an extensive orthopedic
workup both in California and Minnesota. MRIs from
November and December of 2004 revealed a bulging disc
at L4-L5 with some degeneration and mild stenosis of the
subarticular recess. Further review of the MRIs indicated
juvenile discogenic disease and degenerative disc changes
at L4-L5 and L5-S1, along with retrolisthesis of L4 with
respect to L5 and slight exaggeration of the retrolisthesis in
extension. He saw his trainers daily, diligently performed
the exercises recommended by his physical therapist,
and eventually underwent a successful laminectomy and
decompression surgery. However, he continued to suffer
from unresolved pain and was told by his surgeon that he
would have to quit basketball and never play again. |
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