Is 5% dextrose prolotherapy effective for radicular low back pain?

Abstract

Aims:Prolotherapy is a regenerative treatment that induces the local inflammation response and has been used clinically for many musculoskeletal system disorders. Dextrose is the most common solution that is used for prolotherapy. Dextrose prolotherapy can be used as a complementary treatment for various musculoskeletal system disorders including low back pain. The aim of our trial is to assess the potential effectiveness of 5% dextrose injection for radicular low back pain resulting from lumbar disc herniation. Methods:We evaluated a total of 40 patients treated with 5% dextrose prolotherapy for radicular low back pain for one year. Of these patients, 20 patients were treated with only prolotherapy. The other 20 patients were treated with prolotheraphy and physical therapy. 5% dextrose solution is used for the treatment and the solution being injected to iliolumbar and transverse ligament insertion levels and at the facet level. We used Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 10 cm, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) for the evaluation of pain, mobility, quality of life and functional status of the patients. Results:A significant reduction in pain was reported in all patients in both groups. The pain and disability scores significantly improved both in two groups at the 3, 12 and 52-week follow-up with no significant difference between the groups. Conclusions:Patients with radicular low back pain resulting from disc herniation can be treated effectively by using 5% dextrose prolotheraphy.

Ultrasound-guided Perineural Dextrose Injection for Treatment of Superior Cluneal Nerve Entrapment: Serial Case Report

“…The second injection procedure was performed using a similar composition and technique to increase the initiation of proliferation. The use of dextrose was not recommended at high concentrations because it can lead to an inflammatory reaction [25]. Periodic evaluations were performed in all patients, resulting in satisfactory pain resolution.…”

Isotonic glucose injections for anterior knee pain: A clinical case study

“…In the search for efficient yet safe treatment modalities, local subcutaneous glucose 5% (G5W) or dextrose 5% (D5W) injections have become more popular in recent years. It has been used for myofascial pain [14] and other forms of musculoskeletal pain [15][16][17][18]. It has been applied for carpal tunnel syndrome [19], epidural injection [20] and nerve hydrodissection [21].…”

Glucopuncture for tension-type headache: A descriptive review

“…Subcutaneous injections with glucose 5% were first described in the medical literature by Dr Lyftogt in his Achilles pilot study [17]. Later on, glucose 5% injections were used to treat other forms of musculoskeletal pain [18][19][20]. Some physicians also used glucose 5% injections for tennis elbow [21], low back pain, carpal tunnel [22] and Dupuytren's stage 1.…”