We changed his diet, included EFA supplementation (Omega 3 fatty acids), and started (weekly) Adequan injections. We scheduled five Prolotherapy sessions three weeks apart and treated his knees, hips, elbows. By the third session, his gait was back to normal and all feet were properly bearing weight and placed firmly on the ground. On the sixth session, we included ACell1 in the protocol.

Within 10 days after those injections, Osirus was no longer painful on palpation of hips, knees, or elbows. In the five months since the last treatment, he has gradually improved and no additional Prolotherapy has been needed.

Osirus has regained normal mobility and gate. His limping has completely resolved and he is walking, running, and playing like a normal dog. His pain level has dissipated, without the use of drugs. His worst residual issue is a bit of stiffness sitting and standing.

Osirus could not stand up on his own prior to his treatments and has now returned to function; age related residual stiffness is merely a trivial affect.

Methods

We did six Prolotherapy treatments in all. Five were a series of injections of dextrose, lidocaine, vitamin B12, and (Heel’s) Traumeel in equal parts. The sixth was a combination treatment of the above, but the right hip and knee were also injected with ACell1 (5cc).

Normal needle size was 1.5-inch by 22 gauge for hip injections, and 1-inch by 25 gauge in and around the knee. Hip treatments of 5cc were injected at the dorsal and lateral aspect of the hip at four injection sites in and around the articular capsule, surrounding the femoral head of both hips.

Knee treatments of 5cc were injected in and around both knees. Injection sites for the knee: lateral tibial collateral ligament, under the infrapatellar bursa, into the tendon of the long digital extensor, and deeply into the joint space under the patella ligament.

Treatments took place approximately three weeks apart. Elbow treatments of 3cc were injected in and around the elbow.

Injection sites for the elbow: the radial head and the annular ligament, the external condyle of the humerus and articular ligament at the radial head, radial and lateral epicondyle at the lateral collateral ligament and the top of the lateral digital extensor on the lateral aspect of the elbow, and the joint capsule.

Conclusion

Polyarthritis and generalized lameness in older animals can be effectively addressed with Prolotherapy. Hips, knees, and elbows can be treated to improve ambulation, diminish pain, and improve overall comfort of the animal without using drugs, such as NSAIDs.

Using Acell1 to complete the Prolotherapy treatments enhances the overall healing of all areas and lengthens the time in between needed follow up visits. ACell1 also helps with the pain associated with both hip and elbow dysplasia. The cases where I add ACell to the protocol typically need fewer follow up visits for pain.

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A Case for Prolotherapy and Its Place in Veterinary Medicine (PDF)