Effectiveness of Dextrose Prolotherapy for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and evaluate the efficacy and complication profile of prolotherapy using hyperosmolar dextrose solution injection for rotator cuff tendinopathy. LITERATURE SURVEY: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (from inception to 1 July, 2019). METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive search was completed to identify randomized controlled trials addressing prolotherapy using hyperosmolar dextrose solution for rotator cuff tendinopathy. Two reviewers independently screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts, and then extracted data from eligible studies. All reported outcome measures and complications were analyzed descriptively. SYNTHESIS: Five studies satisfied inclusion criteria. Included studies analyzed a total of 272 participants with a final follow-up ranging from 6 weeks to 12 months. Prolotherapy differed greatly among studies. Two studies used a multisite enthesis injection protocol while the other three used ultrasound-guided protocols. Two of the studies used an intrasubstance supraspinatus injection and three used a supraspinatus enthesis injection. Control groups consisted of nonoperative rehabilitation including physical therapy and medical management in three studies, supraspinatus saline enthesis injection in one study, and corticosteroid injection in one study. There was statistically significant improvement in pain intensity with multisite injection protocols compared to physical therapy and medical management in both studies. Ultrasound-guided supraspinatus injection trials did not find any statistically significant difference in pain intensity, range of motion, strength, function, or ultrasound characteristics compared to controls of enthesis saline injection or corticosteroid. The complication rate was low, with only 6/272 participants experiencing adverse events consisting of transient increase in pain for 1 to 2 days postintervention. CONCLUSIONS: Prolotherapy with hyperosmolar dextrose solution is a potentially effective adjuvant intervention to physical therapy for patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy ranging from tendinosis to partial-thickness and small full-thickness tears. Further studies are necessary to determine effects in subpopulations as well as optimal technique including dextrose concentration, volume, and location.

Over-the-top ACL reconstruction yields comparable outcomes to traditional ACL reconstruction in primary and revision settings: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To assess clinical outcomes of over-the-top (OTT) ACL reconstruction (ACLR) in skeletally mature patients, where physeal sparing is not a consideration. The hypothesis is that OTT will produce successful yet inferior outcomes compared to anatomic ACL approaches in both primary and revision settings. METHODS: Two reviewers searched two online databases (EMBASE and MEDLINE) from inception to October 2017 for literature on OTT ACLR in skeletally mature patients. The systematic screening process was completed in duplicate, independently, and based on predetermined criteria. An expert in the field was consulted to resolve disagreements for full-text screening. Quality assessment of included papers was performed independently and in duplicate. RESULTS: From 3148 initial studies, 16 eligible studies (three RCTs and 13 case series) satisfied inclusion criteria. Three focused on the revision setting. The mean age of patients undergoing primary reconstruction was 26.9 ± 3.6, with 21.3% female patients and 31.4 ± 1.2 (26.1% female) in revision settings. Of primary studies reporting return to sport (n = 151), 69% of patients returned to pre-injury sports participation, with a total 94% returning to any sports activity. In revision settings (n = 48), 52.1% of patients returned to pre-injury sports participation, 25.2% returned to a lower level and 12.5% ceased sporting activity. Primary reconstruction studies reported a mean post-operative Tegner score of 6.5 ± 0.5 (n = 181) and mean KOOS of 82.8 ± 8.1 (n = 96). Primary studies reported a total 13 graft failures (3.7%), seven of which were re-ruptures (2.0%). The revision failure rate was 8.4% (four patients). CONCLUSION: Clinically important outcomes for OTT ACLR are comparable to literature figures for traditional all-inside, transtibial and/or anteromedial portal drilling techniques. This holds true in revision settings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.