A randomized controlled trial of intra-articular prolotherapy versus steroid injection for sacroiliac joint pain

50 patients with sacroiliac joint pain were randomized to receive injection treatments of either intra-articular prolotherapy (5% dextrose water) or intra-articular corticosteroid to evaluate the sustained pain relief effects of each treatment. The trial used the Numerical Rating System (NRS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) for pain and disability respectively. The study found that after assessing patients at 2 weeks after treatment, the pain and disability scores were significantly better for both groups, but the use of intra-articular prolotherapy provided more effective and more sustained benefits over the 15 months.