Nicholas,
I have gone through 8 treatments of prolotherapy for my knee. I did this following two arthoscopic knee surgeries which were in my opinion were more harmful than helpful. The first surgery made my knee worse, but that doctor who diagnosed me with chrondromalica patella, indicated after surgery that my knee was mechanically fine now. A year later I had another scope and this doctor said I needed total knee replacement.
I wished I had avoided the surgeries all together and had done only prolotherapy, because it is the only thing that has helped. I honestly feel I would be totally pain free by now had I done this first. Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't cover it and the out of pocket costs of $410 per treatment get rather expensive, so I have to pace myself with my treatments as I can afford it.
I can now walk will very little pain. However, I'm still not running yet which has kept me off the tennis courts too. My doctor initially indicated 12 or more treatments. It is a slow and progressive healing, but in my opinion it does work.
The more pain you are in the less the treatments hurts, but as your pain lessens the treatments seem to be more painful. Fortunately, my doctor is very quick in doing them. There is some swelling and stiffness following the treatments that may last a day or two at the most, but no real pain afterwards, only healing!
I highly recommend anyone having joint problems try prolotheraphy before surgery. Do your research and go to only a doctor who only does prolotherapy full time for a living and not one that dabbles in it. There is a big difference between those who specialize in it and those who are dabbling in it.