Ultrasound-guided dextrose prolotherapy on regeneration of knee structures, pain, and function of a patient with patellofemoral pain syndrome – a case report

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is one of the primary causes of anterior knee pain in young, physically active individuals. It usually presents with generalized anterior knee pain which is aggravated by weight-bearing activities. This is primarily managed conservatively through anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy exercises. We discuss a case of a twenty-seven-year-old male presenting with right anterior knee pain. Assessment of knee structures, pain, and function were performed using the following research instruments, namely, musculoskeletal ultrasound, anterior knee pain scale (AKPS), and star excursion balance test (SEBT), respectively. 1 mL of 25% dextrose prolotherapy was introduced to the medial patellofemoral ligament, proximal patellar tendon, medial collateral ligament, anterior and posterior of the medial meniscus while 10 mL of 25% dextrose prolotherapy was introduced to the suprapatellar recess of the right knee for a total of 6 sessions. He was given an exercise program to allow for eventual return to sport. After which, improvement was noted in the different knee structures, most significantly on the lateral patellar tendon displacement, medial meniscus, and medial collateral ligament, AKPS scores and SEBT scores.