Abstract

Objective In this study the effectiveness of prolotherapy in the treatment of deficient load transfer of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) was determined.

Design A prospective descriptive study.

Setting Authors’ private practice.

Participants 25 patients who consented to treatment and attended for at least one follow-up visit and assessment.

Study period From April 2004 to July 2007.

Intervention Three injections of hypertonic dextrose solution into the dorsal interosseous ligament of the affected SIJ, under CT control, 6 weeks apart.

Main outcome measures Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale, Roland–Morris 24, Roland–Morris 24 Multiform questionnaires and clinical examination by two authors independently.

Results All patients included in this study attended at least one follow-up visit at 3, 12 or 24 months.. The number of patients at follow-up decreased at 12 and 24 months. Functional questionnaires demonstrated significant improvements for those followed-up at 3, 12 and 24 months (p<0.05). Clinical scores showed significant improvement from commencement to 3, 12 and 24 months (p<0.001).

Conclusions This descriptive study of prolotherapy in private practice has shown positive clinical outcomes for the 76% of patients who attended the 3-month follow-up visit (76% at 12 months and 32% at 24 months). Similar results were found in the questionnaires (Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale, Roland–Morris 24 and Roland–Morris 24 Multiform questionnaires) at 3, 12 and 24 months.