Injury to tendons and ligaments are a common cause of lameness in dogs. Damage to ligaments and tendons are also very painful as they contain the highest receptors for pain next to the outer lining of the bone called the periosteum. The damage can also cause loose joints and their body tries to compensate by forming calcifications in these areas leading to arthritis/osteo-arthritis. When ligaments are completely ruptured, surgery may be the best option. However for a partial tear of the ligament as in the cranial cruciate ligament, an option may be Prolotherapy. This procedure involves injection of sterile solutions into tendons or ligaments or joints which has the following effects: It increases collagen formation, it triggers the release of growth factors, it causes local stem cells to proliferate and differentiate into the cells necessary for healing.

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