Dextrose Prolotherapy Injection Improves Dynamic Postural Balance and Reduces Risk of Recurrent Sprains in Chronic...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Chronic ankle instability (CAI) significantly impacts quality of life and athletic performance.
• Current treatments for CAI have limitations, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
• Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is frequently injured in CAI, making it a target for interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) injections into the ATFL for improving outcomes in patients with CAI.
• To compare DPT with normal saline (NS) injections in a randomized controlled trial setting.

Main Methods:

• A 52-week, triple-blinded, randomized controlled trial involving 114 participants with CAI.
• Participants were randomized to receive DPT (15% dextrose) or NS injections to the ATFL at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 16.
• Primary outcome was the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) score at 52 weeks; secondary outcomes included the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), re-sprain rates, and quality of life (EQ-5D).

Main Results:

• No significant difference in CAIT scores between DPT and NS groups at 52 weeks.
• DPT group showed significant improvements in SEBT scores at 26 and 52 weeks compared to the NS group (P<0.05).
• The DPT group experienced a lower risk of ankle re-sprains (adjusted odds ratio 2.88, P=0.017).

Conclusions:

• Dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) is superior to normal saline (NS) injections for improving dynamic balance in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI).
• DPT treatment led to a reduction in the incidence of ankle re-sprains over the 52-week study period.
• No procedure-related adverse events were reported, suggesting a favorable safety profile for DPT in CAI.