Randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled double-blind study of dextrose prolotherapy for osteoarthritic thumb and finger (DIP, PIP, and trapeziometacarpal) joints: evidence of clinical efficacy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical benefit of dextrose prolotherapy (injection of growth factors or growth factor stimulators) in osteoarthritic finger joints.


METHODS
Prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Outpatient physical medicine clinic.


METHODS
Six months of pain history was required in each joint studied as well as one of the following: grade 2 or 3 osteophyte, grade 2 or 3 joint narrowing, or grade 1 osteophyte plus grade 1 joint narrowing. Distal interphalangeal (DIP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and trapeziometacarpal (thumb CMC) joints were eligible. Thirteen patients (with seventy-four symptomatic osteoarthitic joints) received active treatment, and fourteen patients (with seventy-six symptomatic osteoarthritic joints) served as controls.


METHODS
One half milliliter (0.5 mL) of either 10% dextrose and 0.075% xylocaine in bacteriostatic water (active solution) or 0.075% xylocaine in bacteriostatic water (control solution) was injected on medial and lateral aspects of each affected joint. This was done at 0, 2, and 4 months with assessment at 6 months after first injection.


METHODS
One-hundred millimeter (100 mm) Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain at rest, pain with joint movement and pain with grip, and goniometrically-measured joint flexion.


RESULTS
Pain at rest and with grip improved more in the dextrose group but not significantly. Improvement in pain with movement of fingers improved significantly more in the dextrose group (42% versus 15% with a p value of .027). Flexion range of motion improved more in the dextrose group (p = .003). Side effects were minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
Dextrose prolotherapy was clinically effective and safe in the treatment of pain with joint movement and range limitation in osteoarthritic finger joints.
Reeves
K D
KD
Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital, Gardner, Kansas, USA. dreeves1@kc.rr.com
Hassanein
K
K
D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013933:Thumb; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006133:Growth Substances; D005947:Glucose