Prolotherapy

Currently, amniotic growth factor injections are a self-funded medical service and are not covered by health insurance. Due to the high technical threshold of the manufacturing process (requiring patented dehydration and sterile processing), the cost is higher than traditional PRP. However, considering that it usually only requires one injection (compared to multiple injections for PRP) and avoids the huge costs and risks of surgery and hospitalization, it has a very high cost-effectiveness ratio (CP value) for patients seeking highly efficient repair.

This is very important: it is recommended to “avoid” taking strong anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, after surgery. This is because the principle of regenerative therapy is to use the body’s natural “reparative inflammation” to rebuild tissues, and strong anti-inflammatory drugs may inhibit the effects of growth factors and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

The procedure takes only 3-5 minutes, and the pain is similar to a regular injection. We will use ultrasound guidance to precisely avoid nerves, minimizing pain. No hospitalization is required after the procedure, and you can walk immediately. Some patients may experience mild soreness at the injection site for 2-3 days; this is a normal reaction as tissue repair begins (benign inflammation). It is recommended to avoid strenuous exercise for one week after the procedure.

Strictly speaking, legal amniotic membrane preparations do not contain “living stem cells” (due to regulations and safety considerations). They are rich in more than 285 natural growth factors and a special protein scaffold. These components act like powerful “commanders” and “magnets,” summoning and activating your own stem cells after injection to gather at the injured site for repair, rather than directly implanting foreign cells.

Yes, it is possible. This is a major advantage of amniotic fluid injection. Anticoagulants are usually discontinued before PRP therapy to avoid affecting platelet function or causing bruising. However, amniotic fluid injection does not require drawing blood from the patient’s own body. Therefore, patients taking anticoagulants, those with anemia, or those with poor vascular conditions can safely receive this treatment without the risk of discontinuing medication.

Amniotic membrane injection has a dual effect of “anti-inflammatory” and “tissue repair.” Short-term (1-2 weeks): Due to the anti-inflammatory effect, many patients experience significant pain relief. Long-term (3-6 months): This is a critical period for tissue regeneration, and function will continue to improve. Unlike PRP, which usually requires 3-6 treatments, amniotic growth factor, due to its high concentration and long-lasting efficacy, allows most patients to see results with only one treatment; if the condition is severe, a second booster treatment can be administered after 3 months, subject to physician evaluation.

It’s definitely worth trying. The effectiveness of PRP is highly dependent on the patient’s own blood quality. If you are older, have chronic diseases, or have insufficient blood growth factor concentration, the repair capacity of PRP may be limited. In contrast, amniotic growth factor is a “standardized high-concentration formulation” that is not affected by the patient’s constitution and additionally contains the “extracellular matrix (ECM)” scaffold that PRP lacks, providing a more stable repair environment for tissues. It is particularly suitable for patients with intractable pain who do not respond to PRP treatment.

The risk is extremely low. Amniotic membrane tissue possesses a unique ****immune-privileged** characteristic, meaning it is unlikely to trigger an immune rejection response in the human body (which is why the fetus is not rejected in the womb). Furthermore, amniotic membrane preparations used in reputable medical institutions (such as Amniofix®) are derived from healthy donors delivered via cesarean section and undergo rigorous screening and patented aseptic processes in accordance with US FDA and AATB (American Association of Tissue Banks) standards, ensuring their safety has been widely validated internationally.