This procedure involves no surgery and requires only an injection to help provide the patient with relief from knee pain. This procedure also serves to help stimulate the natural healing process of soft tissues of the knee that have experienced damage.

Typically patients experience pain in the knee either due to the cartilage surface degenerating or meniscus sprains to the tendons and ligaments. As result, it becomes all the more necessary that these soft tissues are treated immediately after surgery due to their limited blood supply and insufficient healing properties. To prepare for the procedure, the area of the knee where the injection is to take place is sterilized using an antiseptic solution followed by the administration of a local anesthetic to numb the area.

Once the preparations have been completed, a solution of concentrated dextrose, which is comprised of anesthetic and natural compounds, is then injected into the tissues that are damaged. Depending on the severity of the condition, it may be necessary for further injections to take place in the structures of the knee that are impaired.

The solution that has been injected will stimulate the impaired tissue to experience a degree of mild inflammation. This serves to create a false alert to the body that a “new injury” has occurred, causing the body to react by releasing a type of protein known as growth factors to help activate a natural healing process. This helps the inflammation to settle down, leading to a group of cells called fibroblasts to jump in. These fibroblasts in turn release collagen to help rehabilitate the joint capsules and ligaments that are damaged. This creates improved mobility and flexibility in the joints as well as the reduction of pain.

Once the procedure is completed, the patient is discharged on the same day. It is advisable that the patient does not take any form of medication for anti-inflammatory relief. It usually takes approximately a week for the inflammation to dissipate. It is possible that further treatment may be necessary to ensure the impaired tissues recover fully.