Prolotherapy is a treatment which aims to strengthen weakened ligaments. This is achieved by the repeated injection of irritant 'proliferants' solutions with the aim of inducing inflammation and the subsequent deposition of collagen fibres. In osteoarthritis, proliferant solutions are also injected intra-articularly to stimulate cartilage growth and repair. Prolotherapy is based on the premise that much chronic musculoskeletal pain and disability is the result of ligamentous laxity or weakness.