Hyperosmolar injections into the extracellular matrix (ECM) lead to immediate water flux out of the cell. This osmotic cell shock triggers intracellular dehydration and cell shrinkage. It places a lot of mechanical stress on cell membrane, cytoskeleton and cell nucleus. When multiple cells collapse in this manner, a lot of intracellular material (cytoplasm, organelles) and also substances of the cell membrane (e.g., phospholipids) flow into the ECM. These substances provoke an immediate local inflammatory reaction, which is typical for Hypertonic Dextrose Prolotherapy. This inflammatory reaction may lead to connective tissue proliferation – hence the description prolo-therapy. This can lead to regional tissue repair, thickening of connective tissue, and sometimes formation of scar tissue. The latter is probably more likely when using very high net concentrations of dextrose.
Author(s) Details:
Jan Kersschot,
Kamersveld 10, 2630 Aartselaar, Belgium