Comparative Study of Intra Articular Hyaluronic Acid and Intra Articular and Para Articular Dextrose Prolotherapy in Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthrosis (original) (raw)

Introduction: Osteoarthrits is the most common joint disease worldwide with a prevalence of 22 to 39% in India. Minimally invasive treatments are a success when conservative methods fail. The aim of the study was to compare the established treatment of intra-articular hyaluronic acid with the more novel approach of intra-articular and para-articular dextrose. Material and methods: Thirty patients with Knee OA were divided into two groups of fifteen each and were either injected intra-articularly with high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (group H) or a mixture of 12.5% dextrose and 1% lidocaine (group D). Pre and post procedure Visual Analogue Scale and Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index assessment scale scores were compared before and two months after the procedure. Data were analysed using chisquared test, unpaired and paired t-test. Results: There was a significant reduction of both Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index assessment scale (WOMAC) scores at two months when compared to pre-procedure scores (p<0.05) for both groups. However, the reduction in both the scores were significantly lower in post procedure period for intra-articular dextrose when compared to hyaluronic acid (p=0.011 and p=0.004 respectively). Conclusion: Intraarticular dextrose is certainly one of the better minimally invasive treatment for knee OA when compared to high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and at amuch lower cost.