title: Effect of regenerative injection therapy on function and pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized crossover study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the effectiveness of regenerative injection therapy (RIT) to relieve pain and restore function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Crossover study where participants were randomly assigned to receive exercise therapy for 32 weeks in combination with RIT on weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12 or RIT on weeks 20, 24, 28, and 32.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  RIT, which is made up of injections of 1 cc of 15% dextrose 0.6% lidocaine in the collateral ligaments and a 5 cc injection of 20% dextrose 0.5% lidocaine inside the knee joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index of severity of osteoarthrosis symptoms (WOMAC) score (range: 0-96).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following 16 weeks of follow-up, the participants assigned to RIT presented a significant reduction of their osteoarthritis symptoms (mean ± standard deviation: -21.8 ± 12.5, P < 0.001). WOMAC scores in this group did not change further during the last 16 weeks of follow-up, when the participants received exercise therapy only (-1.2 ± 10.7, P = 0.65). WOMAC scores in the first 16 weeks did not change significantly among the participants receiving exercise therapy only during this period (-6.1±13.9, P=0.11). There was a significant decrease in this groups' WOMAC scores during the last 16 weeks when the participants received RIT (-9.3±11.4, P=0.006). After 36 weeks, WOMAC scores improved in both groups by 47.3% and 36.2%. The improvement attributable to RIT alone corresponds to a 11.9-point (or 29.5%) decrease in WOMAC scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of RIT is associated with a marked reduction in symptoms, which was sustained for over 24 weeks.
authors: Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Regional Hospital, Vitalité Health Network, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. rdumais72@gmail.com
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Dumais
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Benoit
authors: Alexis
authors: A
authors: Dumais
authors: Lise
authors: L
authors: Babin
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Bordage
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: de Arcos
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Allard
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Bélanger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000379:methods; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000187:drug effects; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine; D005947:Glucose