Why prolotherapy is a series, not a single shot
Prolotherapy works by prompting your own body to repair and strengthen loose or worn ligaments and tendons. That healing happens gradually, so one injection rarely does the whole job. Treatments are spaced a few weeks apart to give the tissue time to respond and build between visits.
For many people that means a short series — commonly somewhere in the range of three to six sessions — though some areas settle in fewer visits and others need a few more. These are typical patterns, not a promise: your course is whatever your injury actually requires.
What affects how many you'll need
The right number depends on several honest variables: which area is being treated, how long the problem has been there, how much the ligament or tendon has weakened, your overall health, and how well you respond to the first few injections. A recent, contained injury may turn around quickly, while a long-standing or more worn structure often takes more visits.
Results also vary from person to person. Some people respond well and some don't respond enough to justify continuing — and if that's the case, Dr. Hric will tell you plainly rather than keep you on a schedule that isn't helping.
How Dr. Hric plans your course — and when he stops
Dr. Hric performs every injection himself and reassesses as he goes. Rather than lock you into a fixed package up front, he watches how you respond and adjusts: if you're improving, you continue the series; once you've gotten the benefit you're going to get, he stops. In keeping with our Conservative First approach, he'll also tell you honestly if prolotherapy isn't the right tool for your injury before you invest in a course of it.
The clearest next step is a consultation, where Dr. Hric can examine the area, review your history, and give you a realistic estimate of how many sessions your situation is likely to take.
Reviewed by Dr. Jerry Hric, Great Physician Regenerative Medicine · Updated July 15, 2026. Educational information, not a substitute for an in-person evaluation.