Comparing Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Using Intra-articular vs. MRI-Guided Extra-articular Dextrose Injections with Physical Therapy

What this Trial Is About

Knee osteoarthritis OA is a common and disabling joint condition, especially in older adults, causing pain and limited function. This research compares two types of prolotherapy injections using a sugar solution called dextrose to manage knee OA. The study aims to find out if targeting injections based on MRI-detected knee damage is more effective than standard intra-articular injections that go directly into the knee joint. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives ultrasound-guided injections of 5 ml 20% dextrose into the knee joint at weeks 0, 2, and 4, plus physical therapy three times weekly for 4 weeks. The other group undergoes MRI scans and detailed knee exams, then receives ultrasound-guided injections of 20% dextrose around MRI-identified lesion sites with varying needle sizes as needed, also at weeks 0, 2, and 4, along with the same physical therapy. During the study, participants will be assessed at baseline, 1.5, 3, and 6 months after treatment starts. Measures include the Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index WOMAC for pain and function, pain visual scales, quality of life surveys, and mobility tests. Researchers will monitor treatment effects and safety throughout. The total study duration for each participant spans at least 6 months to evaluate lasting benefits.

Comparative Efficacy of Intra-articular vs. MRI-guided Extra-articular Dextrose Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis Management