FAQs

How sore will I be after RIT?
Usually, the patient will experience additional soreness or discomfort at the site of the injury for a few days after RIT.

Do I have to restrict my activities after RIT?
No, people typically return to work the next day and moderate exercise is encouraged. Movement actually helps stimulate and regenerate tissue growth.

Are there any restrictions after RIT?
Anti-inflammatories are not to be used for four weeks after the injections as they counteract the efficacy of the treatment.  Common anti-infllammatories to avoid include: Advil, Ibuprofen, Aleve and Naproxen. However, taking Tylenol is an acceptable treatment for the discomfort sometimes associated with RIT.

How many treatment sessions will it take to heal an injury?
This usually depends on the severity of the problem and how long you have had the injury. Usually, less than six sessions are needed for most conditions.
Usually, the patient will experience a significant improvement after three sessions. If there is no improvement at all after three sessions, we will reevaluate whether there is an inaccurate diagnosis or whether this is not the treatment of choice.

How often is this treatment repeated?
The growth of new tissue continues for several weeks following an RIT session.  Typically, patients are re-examined in four to six weeks and, if necessary, another injection is done.  At the point when the pain has stopped and full strength and mobility are restored, no more treatments are administered and healing is complete. 
Typically, people do not need more than six prolotherapy treatments on one area—less if PRP therapy is administered. 

What can I do to enhance the treatment results?
Vitamin C can help in healing connective tissue. If cartilage is involved, glucosamine and chondroitin taken orally may be recommended.

Also, patients in good nutritional and hormonal balance heal better than those who are out of balance. Dr. Thomashefsky will discuss both the value of good nutrition and the importance of maintaining optimal hormonal levels to achieve the desired healing.

Does insurance cover RIT treatments?
Payment is requested on the day of service. Our office will produce a bill that can be submitted to your insurance. Then your insurance company will decide if your policy covers this service. The reimbursement from the insurance company goes directly to the patient. The PRP process is relatively costly because of the equipment needed to produce the Platelet Rich Plasma and the absolute need for sterility.  Many insurance companies do not cover this process—an exception being if it is done in a hospital. 
MediCare does not cover any RIT treatments.