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Fantastic
Findings
Increase in Cross Sectional Area of the Iliolumbar
Ligament using Prolotherapy Agents: An Ultrasonic Case Study
Ann Auburn, DO, Scott
Benjamin, PT, DScPT, Roy Bechtel, PT, PhD, & Stacey
Matthews
Background Content: This case study examined
the effects of a single Prolotherapy injection series on the left iliolumbar
ligament. The ligament measurements were split between medial and lateral portions
of the iliolumbar ligament and we hypothesized that growth would occur increasing
the cross sectional area and thus provided added stability to the pelvis and
lumbar spine.
Purpose: The purpose of our study was to answer
two questions: 1) how do you know that the Prolotherapy injectant
actually reaches the ligamentous structure you are attempting
to heal; and 2) how long does it take for the ligament to recover?
Study Design: Single case study.
Methods: One subject, 32 year-old female with
no history of lower back pain (LBP) participated in our study.
Her job tasks as a physical therapist required her to twist turn
and bend; putting pressure on her pelvis and ligamentous system.
The primary author (A.A.) assessed her pelvic ligaments which
lead to using a specified Prolotherapy solution for the left iliolumbar
ligament. Ultrasound (US) guided imaging was used to take baseline
measurements of the left iliolumbar ligament prior to Prolotherapy.
Bi-weekly US measurements were up to six weeks to determine cross-sectional
area (CSA) changes within the ligament.
Results: The results indicated that after the
initial Prolotherapy treatment, there was growth in the left iliolumbar
ligament at both the medial and lateral sites. The CSA increased
by 27% for the medial measurement and 21% for the lateral measurement
compared to baseline. The left iliolumbar ligament also appeared
to change its characteristics and looked more uniform as a result
of one Prolotherapy treatment.
Conclusion: Patients that experience lower back
pain and or pelvic shifting may benefit from the usage of Prolotherapy
to strengthen the ligaments surrounding their pelvis. Our study
also brings out the positive effects of using US to capture changes
that occur within specific tissue.
Journal of Prolotherapy. 2009;3:156-162.
KEYWORDS: iliolumbar ligament, Prolotherapy, sacroiliac joint, ultrasound. |
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