Regenerative Injection Therapy (Prolotherapy) for Hip Labrum Lesions: Rationale and Retrospective Study

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Acetabular labral tear is a debilitating condition for which there are few effective non-surgical treatment options. A number of studies in humans and in animal models suggest that the labrum may have a capacity for spontaneous healing, and that therapies that seek to exploit and facilitate this process may be beneficial. Regenerative injection therapies have shown promise in the treatment of several musculoskeletal disorders, but have not previously been applied to labral tear. Methods:We present an initial case series of 19 patients with labral tear that were treated in our clinic with intra-articular injections of hypertonic dextrose. Patient-reported assessments were collected by questionnaire between 1 and 60 months post-treatment (mean = 12 months).Results: All patients reported improvements in pain relief and functionality. Patients reported complete relief of 54% of recorded symptoms. Improvements did not show dependence on the time between treatment and follow-up. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions:Regenerative injection therapy (prolotherapy) for acetabular labral tear appears to be a safe and potentially efficacious procedure that merits further investigation as a non-surgical option.

Conservative Management of Second Metatarsophalangeal Joint Instability in a Professional Dancer: A Case Report

“…It is thought to work through a cellular mechanism that induces the production of new collagen by stimulating an inflammatory reaction. 1,30,31 A gentle irritant solution injected to a localized area creates a mild, controlled injury that stimulates the body's natural healing mechanisms to develop new collagen fibers, resulting in tightening of the weakened structure. 26,30,46,60 Additional treatments repeat this process, allowing a gradual build-up of tissue to restore the original strength of the area.…”

Management of Hip Labral Tears in Athletes: An Evidence-Based Review of the Literature

“…Again, smallscale evidence is available about the efficacy of this treatment for the management of hip labral tears. In a case series of 19 patients with labral lesions who were injected with hypertonic dextrose, Hauser & Orlofsky [17] suggested that this mode of management is a safer and effective procedure [17]. Although some improvements were observed, this could have been caused by the placebo effect of the injection given or the spontaneous improvement of the condition, especially with the absence of control group to assess the comparative effect of the treatment given.…”