Comparison of the effects of dextrose prolotherapy and extracorporeal shockwave therapy on quadriceps femoris muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58962/HSR.1341Keywords:
Knee osteoarthritis, ESWT, dextrose prolotherapy, quadriceps femoris, muscle strength, disability preventionAbstract
Background and purpose
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by pain, limited mobility, and quadriceps femoris muscle weakness. This weakness is not solely due to immobilization but is also influenced by arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI). Interventional approaches such as ESWT and dextrose prolotherapy have been considered promising for addressing this condition. However, direct comparative evidence regarding their effectiveness in improving muscle strength remains limited. Aim to compare the effects of ESWT and DP on quadriceps femoris strength in patients with grade II–III knee OA.
Material and methods
This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control-group design with random allocation, involving 24 patients. Two participants in the DP group dropped out, leaving 22 subjects in the final analysis. The ESWT group received six weekly treatment sessions, while the DP group underwent three injections of hypertonic dextrose at 3-week intervals. Muscle strength of the quadriceps femoris was evaluated using a dynamometer before and after the intervention.
Results
Both ESWT and DP groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in quadriceps femoris muscle strength after the intervention (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the magnitude of improvement (p > 0.05). Sub-analysis showed that DP was effective in grade II OA, but not statistically significant in grade III OA. No serious adverse effects were reported in either group.
Conclusions
ESWT and DP are both effective in improving quadriceps femoris strength in patients with grade II and III knee OA.
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References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Andre Bayu Nugroho, Lydia Arfianti, Nurul Kusuma Wardani, Atika (Author)
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