Isokinetic evaluation of the efficiency of prolotherapy treatment in women with KNEE osteoarthritis

Objective: This study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of dextrose prolotherapy injection on pain, joint movement, walking speed, functionality, and isokinetic muscle strength around the knee in women with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed with knee OA and admitted to Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic with knee pain were included in the study. The patients in the dextrose prolotherapy (n:30) group were treated with 2 injections, 2 weeks apart, into the knee (25% dextrose) and around the knee (15% dextrose). Hot pack, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and ultrasound treatments were applied to the knees of the patients in the control group (n:30) in 20 sessions for four weeks. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), knee joint range of motion (ROM), isokinetic knee circumference strength were evaluated before treatment, at 1 and 3 months after treatment. Results: In the comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment (1st and 3rd months) in both groups, a statistically significant difference was found in VAS, WOMAC, EHA, muscle strength values of 60°/sec and 180°/sec (p<0.001). The change in VAS values in prolotherapy and physical therapy groups before and after treatment (1.86±1.00, 1.60±0.49, respectively) and before treatment and at 3 months (3.90±1.24, 2,80±0,76, respectively). A statistically significant difference was found in the comparison of 80±0.76 respectively (p<0.001). Change in WOMAC values in prolotherapy and control groups before and after treatment (4.06±1.66, 2.50±0.86, respectively) and before treatment and at 3 months (7.90±2.29, 4.76) ±1.43, respectively), a statistically significant difference was detected(p<0.001). Conclusion: In the treatment of knee OA, both physical therapy and dextrose prolotherapy are effective treatments on pain, functionality and strength. It is observed that more improvement in pain and functionality can be achieved with Dextrose prolotherapy. Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, dextrose prolotherapy, WOMAC, isokinetic peak torque