Ankle

Ankle Fusion
Ross Hauser, M.D.

It is common for Prolotherapists to see people with continued pain complaints after surgery... In 1992, Dr. J. Albert and associates looked at what actually occurred in the ankle when the joint was opened or distracted for ankle surgery. What they found was that when the joint was opened in the clinically recommended range "complications of pin bending, excessive ligament strain, and bony destruction did occur." Anyone with post-surgery pain should be checked for ligament injury. Prolotherapy to the injured ligaments will eliminate the pain in such a case... For the complete article.
 

Chronic Foot Problems and the Achilles Tendon
Ross Hauser, MD

As we age, flat feet become more common. This means that the foot has too much pronation (turning outward). As the foot pronates excessively, a plantar fasciitis or even a heel spur can occur. To prevent these injuries from occurring, proper footwear is essential to support the arch through correct orthotics. Once plantar fasciitis occurs, Prolotherapy of the plantar fascia (strong attachments at the bottom of the foot) can be quite helpful in eliminating this pain.

This type of injury generally comes on gradually and presents itself as discomfort noticed at the front of the heel or arch when one first gets out of bed in the morning. Pain exacerbates significantly with any increase in athletic activity. When the athlete is off of his/her feet for any period of time, the injured fascia begins to feel better. Unfortunately, the healing bond is quite weak so that when walking without arch support or exercising, the plantar fascia begins to tear. This results in pain in the area where the plantar fascia attaches to the calcaneous (heel bone), and a formation of a bone spur. Bone spurs tell the athlete and physician that there is weakened and injured tissue present, which is generally a ligament. Use of an arch support helps to prevent the plantar fasciitis from recurring, but Prolotherapy is needed to strengthen the healing bond.

In addition to the Prolotherapy, proper stretching of the muscles of the lower leg is also helpful. Correction of this problem will also involve evaluation of the gait in order to determine if there are other factors that may be perpetuating this problem, such as other ligament weakness, skeletal malalignments, or muscular imbalances. However, the most important factor in curing sports injuries is to stimulate the regeneration of the injured tissue by Prolotherapy. For the complete article.

Case History - Ankle
Scott Greenberg, M.D.

G.A. is a fifty-two-year-old female who experienced severe pain in her right ankle. Even the simple task of walking became a painful chore. She was diagnosed with chronic ankle tendonitis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Ankle surgery and physical therapy did not relieve her symptoms. The severity of pain led her to become disabled for a period of four months. When she was examined, pain was noted on palpation of the supporting ankle ligaments, and the ankle joint was hypermobile. There were no abnormalities appreciated in the knees, hips or back. After a series of Prolotherapy treatments, G.A.'s pain completely resolved. She was no longer disabled and resumed full time employment. For more about Dr. Greenberg.

Arthritis