The Effect and Safety of Anti-inflammatories and Dextrose Prolotherapy Injections in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis

Our purpose is to expand upon the results of the pilot study performed at David Grant Medical Center (DGMC) which showed that concomitant non-steroidal NSAID use in adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA) undergoing a three-shot dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) injection series did not negate the efficacy of DPT. Additionally, it showed that giving both treatments simultaneously is safe and efficacious. The small sample size and design of the pilot study limited the conclusions that can be drawn on the concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during DPT treatment.

This is a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial that includes a subject population of males and females between the ages of 45-75 years who are DoD beneficiaries empaneled at DGMC with a history of chronic, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in one or both knees, that meet study criteria.

Participants will have study inclusion/exclusion and knee films (within the past 2 years) reviewed by a study investigator to confirm eligibility to participate in the study. Eligible participants will be consented then randomized into treatment groups (ibuprofen, placebo) by the pharmacy. Participants will provide a baseline assessment of pain and dysfunction using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaires. Participants will then have a series of three injections of 4mL of 25% dextrose mixed with 1% lidocaine into the knee under ultrasound guidance, performed at 0, 4 and 8 weeks (+/- 1 week) in addition to a 7-day supply of the study drug (ibuprofen, placebo) at these time points. NPRS and KOOS scores will be collected at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. During the study period, participants will be counseled to avoid oral analgesics (other than what has been prescribed for them as part of the study) including NSAIDs, acetaminophen, or opioids, in addition to other procedures to treat their knee pain to include other injections, acupuncture, physical therapy, and surgery.

The primary outcome is to determine the effect of concomitant oral ibuprofen vs. placebo use on intra-articular knee injections using hypertonic dextrose and the determine the short and long-term outcomes in each treatment group (ibuprofen, placebo) using the NPRS and KOOS questionnaires to assess pain and function.