High Concentration Dextrose Injection

This can be thought of as a cheaper version to platelet-rich plasma injections. It stimulates the healing response but doesn’t bring any tools with it.

This technique essentially relies on sugar water, or dextrose, in high concentrations to be injected near damaged tissue. It is thought to act as an irritant, stimulating the body’s inflammatory response, then bringing in growth factors to allow for healing. This mechanism is why it’s considered a form of prolotherapy (a combination of the words proliferative and therapy). Another proposed mechanism is that it acts as a vascular sclerosant, to destroy abnormal blood vessels which are associated with pain (hence its other name, sclerotherapy). Whatever the exact mechanism, it has brought pain relief to many patients. It was originally developed in the 1940s by trauma surgeon Dr. George Hackett.

It is commonly combined with dry needle fenestration for added benefit.

The medical research for this procedure is continually evolving. It does not work for everybody. Please speak with your physician if this is the right treatment for you.

What are the benefits?

Pain relief, joint protection, and tissue repair/regeneration. The injectate is simple sugar water, so it’s readily accepted by the body.

How long will my pain be reduced?

As pain is thought to be reduced through the healing response, this can take up to 6-8 weeks. The overall length of relief is variable, and an accurate average cannot be provided. The goal is to completely heal the tissue, if possible.

How often can I have this done?

The treatment protocol consists of 2-3 injections every 2-3 weeks. The idea is to stimulate an inflammatory response first, followed by organized tissue repair. The goal is to completely heal the tissue, if possible.

Who can’t have this done?

Any patient who may appear to have:

Infection within the body, near the site of administration, or the actual joint itself

What should I do in advance of my injection?

If possible, and safe:

Avoid corticosteroid medications 2-3 weeks prior to the procedure
Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil), 1 week before

What are the side effects?

Common, but not severe

Pain after injection: A post-injection flare occurs in approximately 10% of patients. Like other injections, it usually settles within 2 days. Application of ice and Tylenol can help, if desired. Please avoid any anti-inflammatories, such as Advil (Ibuprofen) afterwards, as this can reduce how well the procedure works.
Pain during the procedure: The skin is the most sensitive part when it comes to any injection. We minimize this by using local anesthetic and/or a vapocoolant spray on the skin. Pain associated with the injection is usually brief and well-tolerated.

Not common, but potentially severe

Infection: When a needle is passed through the skin into the body, there is a very small chance of introducing a joint infection. The chance of this occurring is extremely low, less than 0.002%, or equivalent to being struck by a car as a pedestrian and experiencing a catastrophic event. To minimize this risk, we not only follow the WHO minimum best practice standards for injections, but use sterile gloves, sterile ultrasound probe covers, and sterile ultrasound gel.
Bleeding: This is a greater risk if you have a known bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners. By using ultrasound guidance, there is less “poking” around to get to the target tissue of interest, and thus less theoretical risk of bleeding. Pressure is maintained over the skin afterwards to reduce bleeding.

Systemic Side Effects

No specific reactions have been described.

Can I drive afterwards?

We recommend bringing a driver with you if you’re scheduled for an ankle or foot injection. Otherwise, most people can drive afterwards. Nonetheless, we ask all patients to remain in the clinic waiting room for a minimum of 15 minutes afterwards to observe for any adverse reactions to the medication.

Can I play sports afterwards?

This depends on the type of sport and intensity, but we generally recommend taking it easy for 2 days as post-injection flares may occur. Overall, please be mindful with anything you do and listen to your body.

How much does this cost?

Please see our fees and financing or contact us for more information.