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?

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is concentrated platelets and plasma that is taken from a patient’s own blood. The PRP has growth factors that promote tissue repair and accelerate healing.

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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