The Effect of Prolotherapy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

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