Research Article

Assessing the efficacy of 5% dextrose prolotherapy in patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament tears

Volume: 16 Number: 3 September 30, 2025
TR EN

Assessing the efficacy of 5% dextrose prolotherapy in patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament tears

Abstract

Aim: Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection treatment aimed at promoting the healing of musculoskeletal injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 5% dextrose prolotherapy on pain levels and functional capacity in patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed medical records of 60 patients with partial ACL tears who were matched 1:1 based on age and sex into two groups: a prolotherapy group (n = 30), who had received monthly injections of 5% dextrose solution for six sessions, and a control group (n=30), who had undergone physical therapy alone. Pain intensity was retrospectively assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional outcomes were evaluated using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) from baseline records and after the 3rd and 6th treatment sessions. Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. By the third session, the prolotherapy group showed significantly reduced pain compared to the control group (VAS: 5.2 ± 1.1 vs. 7.9 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). By the sixth session, further significant pain reduction was observed in the prolotherapy group compared to controls (VAS: 2.8 ± 1.2 vs. 7.3 ± 1.0, p < 0.001). Functional capacity significantly improved in the prolotherapy group by the sixth session compared to the control group (LEFS: 68.6 ± 8.5 vs. 52.4 ± 7.3, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Administration 5% dextrose prolotherapy significantly reduced pain and improved functional capacity in patients with ACL tears. Prolotherapy may serve as an effective minimally invasive treatment option for ligamentous injuries of the knee.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and was approved by the Health Sciences University, SBU Gulhane Training and Research Hospital GETAT Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Date: 05.02.2025, Decision No: 2025/2).

References

  1. MacAuley D. Ankle injuries: same joint, different sports. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1999; 31(7 Suppl): S409-11.
  2. Jung HJ, Fisher MB, Woo SL. Role of biomechanics in the understanding of normal, injured, and healing ligaments and tendons. Sports Med Arthrosc Rehabil Ther Technol 2009; 1: 9.
  3. Bunt CW, Jonas CE, and Chang JG. Knee Pain in Adults and Adolescents: The Initial Evaluation. Am Fam Physician 2018; 98: 576-85.
  4. Nguyen US, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Niu J, Zhang B, and Felson DT. Increasing prevalence of knee pain and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: survey and cohort data. Ann Intern Med 2011; 155: 725-32.
  5. Wheaton MT, Jensen N. The Ligament Injury-Osteoarthritis Connection: The Role of Prolotherapy in Ligament Repair. J Prolother 2011; 3: 790-812.
  6. Torgutalp ŞŞ, Dönmez G, Korkusuz F. Incidence rates of injuries associated with anterior cruciate ligament tear diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging: A retrospective cohort study. Spor Hekimliği Dergisi 2021; 56: 033-37.
  7. Hauser RA, Lackner JB, Steilen-Matias D, Harris DK. A Systematic Review of Dextrose Prolotherapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord 2016; 9: 139-59.
  8. Rabago D, Slattengren A, Zgierska A. Prolotherapy in primary care practice. Prim Care 2010; 37: 65-80.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pain

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

May 31, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 3

APA
Solmaz, İ. (2025). Assessing the efficacy of 5% dextrose prolotherapy in patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament tears. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory, 16(3), 432-438. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1710550
AMA
1.Solmaz İ. Assessing the efficacy of 5% dextrose prolotherapy in patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament tears. TJCL. 2025;16(3):432-438. doi:10.18663/tjcl.1710550
Chicago
Solmaz, İlker. 2025. “Assessing the Efficacy of 5% Dextrose Prolotherapy in Patients With Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory 16 (3): 432-38. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1710550.
EndNote
Solmaz İ (September 1, 2025) Assessing the efficacy of 5% dextrose prolotherapy in patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament tears. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory 16 3 432–438.
IEEE
[1]İ. Solmaz, “Assessing the efficacy of 5% dextrose prolotherapy in patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament tears”, TJCL, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 432–438, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.18663/tjcl.1710550.
ISNAD
Solmaz, İlker. “Assessing the Efficacy of 5% Dextrose Prolotherapy in Patients With Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory 16/3 (September 1, 2025): 432-438. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1710550.
JAMA
1.Solmaz İ. Assessing the efficacy of 5% dextrose prolotherapy in patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament tears. TJCL. 2025;16:432–438.
MLA
Solmaz, İlker. “Assessing the Efficacy of 5% Dextrose Prolotherapy in Patients With Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory, vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 432-8, doi:10.18663/tjcl.1710550.
Vancouver
1.İlker Solmaz. Assessing the efficacy of 5% dextrose prolotherapy in patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament tears. TJCL. 2025 Sep. 1;16(3):432-8. doi:10.18663/tjcl.1710550

Cited By