Comparative Efficacy of Dextrose Prolotherapy and Intra Articular Corticosteroids in Grade II Knee Osteoarthritis:A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized single blind two arm clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of dextrose prolotherapy and intra articular corticosteroid injection in patients with grade II knee osteoarthritis. A total of 126 adults aged 40 to 80 years with at least 6 months of knee pain not responding to conservative treatment will be enrolled and randomized equally into two groups. All procedures will be performed under ultrasound guidance using standard drug protocols. The primary objective is to assess pain reduction using Visual Analogue Scale, secondary objectives include assessment of functional improvement using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, duration of relief and adverse effects. Follow up assessment will be conducted at 4 and 12 weeks. Patients with recent trauma or surgery, Intra-articular injection in the past 6 months, secondary OA or inflammatory arthritis, bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy, active infection or systemic illness will be excluded. Data will be analyzed using appropriate parametric and non parametric tests. The study is expected to identify whether dextrose prolotherapy provides superior clinical improvement compared to corticosteroid injection in early knee osteoarthritis