Use of prolotherapy in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal conditions

Musculoskeletal disorders represent a major public health problem in Canada. Many people are affected and require long-term treatments in order to relieve their pain and improve their functional status. Many of these treatments have doubtful or unknown effectiveness and safety, among which prolotherapy has been suggested as a therapeutic option.

Prolotherapy consists in injecting various substances (dextrose, glycerin and phenol) into painful ligaments or tendons, with the theory that this would lead to local irritation, inflammation and stimulation of cell growth and tissue repair.

Currently, this treatment is not recognized in Québec. Concerned with the safety of the public, the Collège des médecins du Québec has asked the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prolotherapy in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain.