Using anti-inflammatories and dextrose injections to treat knee osteoarthritis

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of combining non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) injections in adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Participants aged 45-75 will receive either ibuprofen or a placebo alongside DPT injections over a series of three treatments. The study is designed as a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial to ensure unbiased results. The goal is to determine if NSAIDs can be safely used without compromising the efficacy of DPT in alleviating knee pain.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Must be DoD Healthcare beneficiaries empaneled at DGMC
* Adults aged 45-75 years with a clinical diagnosis of Knee OA (either unilateral or bilateral) based on clinical and radiographic criteria as defined by the American College of Rheumatology (Altman 1987)
* Knee radiographs (within 2 years of start date) with Kellgren-Lawrence classification of 2-3
* Moderate to severe Knee pain for at least 3 months defined as a score of ≥4 using the NPRS (0-10) in response to the question "What is the average level of your left/ right knee pain in the past 3 months?"
* English speaking
* Not pregnant
* Not breastfeeding
* No allergy to dextrose, lidocaine, or sulfite

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous knee replacement surgery
* Previous meniscus repair/debridement surgery or chondral replacement surgery
* Any intra-articular injection including steroid, prolotherapy or platelet rich plasms within the previous 3 months
* Significant effusion as defined by a ballotable patella
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Current/ongoing medical problems obtained from chart review contraindicating NSAID use to include chronic kidney disease stage II or higher, acute interstitial nephritis, coronary artery disease requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or bypass surgery; Major Adverse Coronary Event (MACE), body mass index (BMI) ≥40, inflammatory arthropathy (gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or septic arthritis), history of GI bleed.
* Non-English speaking
* Allergy to dextrose, lidocaine, or sulfite

Where it's running

• David Grant USAF Medical Center
  Travis AFB, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Alexander R Kim, MD — David Grant USAF Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Alexander R Kim, MD
• Email: Alexander.r.kim.mil@health.mil
• Phone: 707-423-3057

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Platelet-rich plasma added to hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis

  This study tests whether a single injection of hyaluronic acid plus autologous platelet-rich plasma helps reduce knee OA symptoms more than hyaluronic acid alone in adults with moderate knee OA.

  Recruiting Implai Sp z o.o · Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship · NCT07785401

• Hyaluronic Acid Plus PRP Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis

  This study tests whether a single HA injection combined with a patient’s own PRP is better at easing knee OA pain than HA alone.

  Recruiting Implai Sp z o.o · Chełm, Lublin Voivodeship · NCT07784907

• Weekly NNC0487-0111 injections for weight loss and knee pain in adults with excess weight and knee osteoarthritis

  This will try weekly NNC0487-0111 injections versus placebo to see if adults with excess body weight and knee osteoarthritis can lose weight and have less knee pain.

  Recruiting at 73 sites Phase 3 Novo Nordisk A/S · Phoenix, Arizona and 81 other locations · NCT07481630

• Altered Joint Mechanics and Biological Response in Osteoarthritic Knees

  This study tests how braces or high tibial osteotomy (HTO) affect knee bone and cartilage in people with knee OA who are scheduled for corrective treatment.

  Recruiting Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven · Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant · NCT07481461

• Why walking causes different amounts of knee pain in people with osteoarthritis

  This project will see if differences in the brain, joint imaging, movement, and sensory responses explain why adults 45–80 with knee osteoarthritis have different levels of walking pain.

  Recruiting University of Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · NCT07308873

• Reducing knee pain with Genicular Artery Embolization

  This study is testing if a new procedure called Genicular Artery Embolization can help people with knee osteoarthritis pain who haven't found relief from other treatments.

  Recruiting Phase 2 University of Utah · Salt Lake City, Utah · NCT06859164

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.