Dextrose Prolotherapy A Narrative Review of Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Best Treatment Recommendations

Dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) is a treatment for chronic pain involving the injection of hypertonic dextrose at soft tissue attachments or within joint spaces. The mechanism of action of DPT is likely multifactorial. Controlled animal and human trials have reported proliferation of soft tissue and a potential direct neural effect of dextrose injections. Systematic review of clinical trials show that DPT reduces pain and improves function in the long term for knee osteoarthritis; existing studies also suggest that DPT is efficacious for finger/hand osteoarthritis and Osgood Schlatter disease, and may be efficacious for rotator cuff tendinopathy, lateral epicondylosis, and sacroiliac pain.