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International Orthopaedics

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01-04-2017 | Review Article

Proliferative injection therapy for osteoarthritis: a systematic review

Authors: Mišo Krstičević, Milka Jerić, Svjetlana Došenović, Antonia Jeličić Kadić, Livia Puljak

Published in: International Orthopaedics | Issue 4/2017

Abstract

Purpose

To systematically analyse randomised controlled trials (RCTs) about efficacy and safety of proliferative injection therapy (prolotherapy) for treatment of osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

CENTRAL, Embase and MEDLINE were searched. Two reviewers independently conducted screening and data extraction. RCTs were assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Type of treatment, study design, dosing, efficacy outcomes and safety outcomes were analysed. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42016035258).

Results

Seven RCTs were included, with 393 participants aged 40-75 years and mean OA pain duration from three months to eight years. Follow-up was 12 weeks to 12 months. Studies analysed OA of the knee joint (n = 5), first carpometacarpal joint (n = 1) and finger joints (n = 1). Various types of prolotherapy were used; dextrose was the most commonly used irritant agent. All studies concluded that prolotherapy was effective treatment for OA. No serious adverse events were reported. The studies had considerable methodological limitations.

Discussion

Limited evidence from low-quality studies indicates a beneficial effect of prolotherapy for OA management. The number of participants in these studies was too small to provide reliable evidence.

Conclusions

Current data from trials about prolotherapy for OA should be considered preliminary, and future high-quality trials on this topic are warranted.

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Title: Proliferative injection therapy for osteoarthritis: a systematic review
Authors: Mišo Krstičević
Milka Jerić
Svjetlana Došenović
Antonia Jeličić Kadić
Livia Puljak
Publication date: 01-04-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Orthopaedics / Issue 4/2017
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-017-3422-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Proliferative injection therapy for osteoarthritis: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

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