The Effects of Prolotherapy (Hypertonic Dextrose) in Recreational Athletes with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Prolotherapy is recognized as a regenerative injection technique that stimulates the body’s healing processes to strengthen weakened ligaments and tendons. Hypertonic dextrose as an irritant agent which stimulates the healing process agent is widely used in in this technique. The aim of the current study is to assess the efficiency of prolotherapy injections in patellofemoral pain syndrome Methods: The current study was designed as a retrospective clinical study. 44 recreational athletes with unilateral PFPS were enrolled in this study. 10 ml of 15% and 5 ml of 25% hypertonic dextrose were used as extra- and intra-articular injection in the knee with PFPS respectively. Extra and intra articular injections were repeated three times with 21 day intervals according to the tissue repair processing. Results: The knee functional scores, balance and coordination scores were significantly improved in the affected knees at 6 months after treatment (p