GPs sour as college refuses to endorse prolotherapy
RACGP says there is insufficient evidence, but musculoskeletal GPs disagree
GPs who specialise in musculoskeletal medicine are up in arms over the RACGP’s refusal to endorse the use of dextrose prolotherapy for knee and hip osteoarthritis.
The complementary treatment consists of an injection of sugar plus anaesthetic, which is thought to ease symptoms by triggering an inflammatory response, increasing blood and nutrient supply to the affected tissue.
The cost of the treatment is $175 per injection, and three or four are required, on average.
A July 2018 update of the RACGP’s management guidelines for knee and hip osteoarthritis conditionally recommended against dextrose prolotherapy on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
