Publications & Articles

Current Clinical Considerations in the Use of Dextrose Prolotherapy in Sport and Exercise Medicine

Together with colleagues from the Australian Institute of Sport, Dr. Praet has published a narrative review article entitled
‘ Current Clinical Considerations in the Use of Dextrose Prolotherapy in Sport and Exercise Medicine’ in Acta Scientific Orthopaedics.

Based on an extensive review of the medical and scientific literature it's concluded that 'Prolotherapy is an injection-based therapy for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and has a long history of clinical use. The two main forms of dextrose prolotherapy utilise isotonic or hypertonic preparations and are considered to work via different mechanisms. Hypertonic dextrose is the most commonly used injectate and has an excellent safety profile. Isotonic dextrose can provide reliable and reproducible analgesia, given the correct patient and indication. Indeed, the application of isotonic dextrose in a perineural injection technique fashion has proven benefit for myofascial disorders, including small and large nerve entrapment syndromes. As a therapeutic intervention, dextrose prolotherapy is a powerful tool in the sports medicine armamentarium. Further investigation with high-quality randomised controlled trials with non-injection control arms in studies specific to sports injuries is needed to determine the efficacy of prolotherapy in achieving good long-term outcomes.'