Other Treatment Options
There are a quite a number of other therapies for arthritis. The following explains each one and its effectiveness.
1. Steroid Injection
What is it?
A steroid injection procedure injects a steroid directly into the joint or tendon to help reduce pain.
Effectiveness
Steroid injections help reduce pain for 3-4 months.
Note
Steroid injections damage cartilage and increase the risk for tendon rupture. However, it may be used in low doses for Stage 4 arthritis to help reduce pain before joint replacement.
2. Prolotherapy
What is it?
Prolotherapy is a sugar-based solution that is injected into an affected area and causes irritation which, in turn, triggers the body’s healing response.
Effectiveness
6-10 treatment sessions over 4-6 months helps reduce pain for 4-6 months.
Note
Time consuming for patients due to multiple visits.
3. Hyaluronic Acid
What is it?
Hyaluronic acid injections work as a joint lubricant.
Effectiveness
Weekly joint injections for five weeks help reduce pain for 4-6 months.
Note
Time consuming for patients due to multiple visits.
4. Platelet Rich Plasma
What is it?
Effectiveness
1-3 injections over 3-4 weeks helps reduce pain for 12-18 months.
Note
PRP is approved by Health Canada. It is performed by our team.
5. Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M)
What is it?
Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M) is a part of Platelet Rich Plasma. It is concentrated and injected into the joint. It helps reduce inflammation and promotes healing.
Effectiveness
A2M injections help reduce pain for 1 year.
Note
A2M is part of the PRP procedure we offer.
6. Bone Marrow Aspiration Concentration (BMAC)
What is it?
Bone marrow is collected from your body, processed, and concentrated. BMAC helps reduce inflammation and promotes healing.
Effectiveness
This procedure helps reduce pain for 2-3 years.
Note
BMAC is not approved by Health Canada; therefore, it is not performed by our team.
7. Micro Fragmented Fat (MFAT)
What is it?
Fat is collected from your own body and processed. MFAT helps reduce inflammation and promotes healing.
Effectiveness
The procedure helps reduce pain for 2-3 years.
Note
The MFAT procedure is not approved by Health Canada; therefore, it is not performed by our team.
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