J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2002 Aug;26(4):445-448.

The Effect of Prolotherapy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

• Kim JM

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of dextrose prolotherapy on knee osteoarthritis. METHOD: The patient population consisted of 20 individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Patients have suffered from knee pain for six months or more along with Kellgren's grade 2 or more radiographical change in knee compartment. They were injected monthly with 15% and 25% dextrose on knee joints for 4 months. The outcome was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, pain rating score, and WOMAC osteoarthritis index at a month after 4th injection.
RESULTS
Seventeen of the 20 patients achieved significant diminution of pain or disability scores after dextrose prolotherapy compared with pre-treatment status. There were significant reductions in VAS score, pain rating score, and WOMAC osteoarthritis index after dextrose injection (p<0.05). Three patients dropped out over follow up period due to lack of efficacy.
CONCLUSION
Prolotherapy injection with dextrose resulted in clinically and statistically significant improvements in knee osteoarthritis.

Keyword

Prolotherapy; Dextrose; Knee; Osteoarthritis; Pain

MeSH Terms

Follow-Up Studies
Glucose
Humans
Knee Joint
Knee*
Osteoarthritis*
Osteoarthritis, Knee
Glucose