Lumbosacral prolotherapy: a before-and-after study in an NHS setting

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of prolotherapy in the lumbosacral spine of patients with symptomatic apparent ligamentous laxity, in a National Health Service (NHS) setting.

Method

A two-centre, before-and-after study of 197 consecutive patients followed up for a year using Visual Analogue Scales and Oswestry Disability Index.

Results

Allowing for minor differences in approach and population demographics 91% of respondents were better or the same after 12 months.

Conclusions

This study looked at the use of prolotherapy in patients who had failed to respond to conservative approaches including spinal manipulation and physiotherapy in NHS back pain clinic settings. These patients had longstanding and often severe pain and disability. Previous trials of prolotherapy have produced conflicting results but all had methodological problems. The results of this study promote the case for a new NHS-based randomized controlled trial of prolotherapy in the syndrome described as ligamentous laxity.

Keywords:

• Low-back pain
• Ligamentous laxity
• Prolotherapy

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Dr Chris Parsons for his encouragement and help in collating results.