|
Prolotherapy: Only 10% the cost of a
traditional steroid shot under X-ray guidance and gives more immediate
and long-term relief!
First let me start by saying, most people who know me and have read some
of the articles I have written know that I am not a big fan of giving
injections under X-ray.
Here are a few of my objections to performing injections under X-ray:
1. No study anywhere in the world that I know of reports that injections
under X-ray actually give better results compared to injections given
without X-ray guidance.
2. Insurance companies pay billions of dollars for these injections
under X-ray, yet no documentation exists showing improvement in patient
care.
3.
Steroids
are the typical solutions physicians use for these injections under
X-ray (called fluoroscopic guidance), yet steroids have been shown to
cause cartilage deterioration.
4. Injections under X-ray guidance cost 10 times the amount as normal
Prolotherapy injections.
5. Only one injection is typically given when performed under
fluoroscopic guidance, so what is the likelihood that the injection is
going to give long-term pain relief? I would say the answer to that is
“very low.”
If you don’t agree with the above, let’s look at one example from a
patient who was just here at the office last week:
Mark came into the clinic with a two year history of bilateral
hip pain, right hip worse than
the left. The pain started two years ago during a run. Mark typically
ran 28-30 miles per week, but had not run for about two years, since the
hip pain started. As a 51-year-old, he was getting pretty discouraged
because he had tried physiotherapy,
chiropractic care, electrical
stimulation, laser treatments, and all the recommendations given to him
pointed him toward bilateral
hip
replacement. The last treatment he tried was a fluoroscopically
guided steroid injection into his severely degenerated hip. The net
result was almost no pain relief and an expense of $2700.
I hope to provide you with documentation of what I am saying so you will
know beyond a shadow of a doubt that what I am saying is true. These are
real patients with real stories. I know most of you believe me, but for
the skeptics, you will see more real arthroscopy reports, X-ray reports,
and invoices from other providers.
Back to Mark. He received a steroid injection under X-ray guidance at
some would say is one of the best medical centers for sports medicine
care. In other words, Mark received the best of traditional medical care
and I am saying it was ridiculous, ludicrous, and consciously unethical
to perform an almost $3000 steroid shot on a person with bone on bone
osteoarthritis.
This steroid shot was absolutely not indicated and should not have been
performed. Another interesting part of his medical chart was the Pain
Diary that he completed post-steroid injection.
He reported a 7/10 pain level prior to the injection.
In the hours post-procedure, this is what happened:
1 hour = 0/10;
2 hours= 2/10;
3 hours=4/10;
4 hours=4/10;
5 hours=7/10;
6 hours=8/10.
You can interpret that for yourself!
Please see his X-ray report below:
Examination: Xray Hip (RIGHT)
Perf: 3/19/2009 10:35:00 AM
Indication: Right hip pain
Impression: Moderate changes of osteoarthritis, with joint space
narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, subchondral cysts and marginal
osteophytes are noted in the right and left hip, right greater than
left. Otherwise, no abnormalities are identified. There is evidence of
fracture dislocation.
From the above report, Mark basically has extensive osteoarthritis, with
the right hip worse than the left hip. On my physical examination with
his hip flexed 90 degrees, he only had 17 degrees of external rotation
on his left hip and even less on his right (less than 10 degrees). In
other words, this is extremely bad osteoarthritis. The only treatment
that can keep someone from a hip replacement is Prolotherapy. But I
first want you to hear some more about the treatment that Mark had
received prior to coming in to see me.
Mark brought some of his medical records with accompanying billing for
me to review at his initial consultation. You can clearly see the
following charges: initial consultation and the initial steroid shot:
$2689.00 of which he had to pay $2019.60 out of pocket.
In my opinion, this was a total waste of money, not to mention a
treatment that would worsen his condition. I believe that the science of
steroids on cartilage is that steroids degenerate it, while Prolotherapy
regenerates it. (articular cartilage (see research paper)).
At Caring Medical, Mark received a $330.00
Prolotherapy treatment to his
right hip and the procedure went well. We received this email from Mark
in response to our post-Prolotherapy follow-up call:
Hello Dr. Hauser,
Just a few lines regarding the 1st treatment. You and your staff
are a pleasure to interact with. The injections were not without pain,
however, after a few hours the injection pains subsided and to my
pleasant surprise, my hip pain also was reduced. The mobility of the hip
was noticeably improved and I am looking forward to my next treatment.
Thank you. M.K.
You might be thinking, “How could the mobility in his hip be better one
day after Prolotherapy?” The answer: it provided pain relief! With less
pain, you obviously are able to more freely move your joints! What will
be Mark’s ultimate outcome? While I cannot predict the future, there is
a good chance he will get out of pain. Whether he will run again is yet
to be determined, but I am sure he will be an avid cyclist!
The bottom line here is that Prolotherapy has a chance to get him better
– I would give it a 90% chance. Steroids have a 0% chance to get him
better. In the end, Prolotherapy costs a fraction of what a steroid shot
costs. In my mind, there is no competition. Prolotherapy for
degenerative arthritis is the most effective and least costly treatment
option available!
|
Prolotherapy
Our
Prolotherapy Books - 
POWER
OVER PAIN