Effectiveness of 5% Dextrose Water (D/W) versus Corticosteroid Injection for Pain Management of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Main Article Content

Muhammad Imran Baig
DrWaqas Ashraf Chaudhary
Hamza Shahzad
Muhammad Fakhar Ikram Kalair
Sadia Ghafoor
Hanan Azfar
Tamjeed Ghaffar
Rafia Imtiaz

Abstract

Background: Corticosteroid injections have been a cornerstone in the management of sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD)-related pain. Recently, alternative approaches to pain management have garnered attention, particularly the use of 5% dextrose water (D/W) injections, which are believed to promote tissue healing and regeneration.


Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 5% dextrose water (D/W) compared to corticosteroid injections for pain management in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD).


Methods: This experimental study was conducted at Chaudhary Muhammad Akram Teaching and Research Hospital, Lahore, from October 2023 to May 2024. A total of 120 participants aged 18-65 years with clinically diagnosed SIJD were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A (N=60) received three weekly injections of 5% D/W solution, while Group B (N=60) received corticosteroid injections administered weekly over six weeks. Participants were excluded if they were pregnant, breastfeeding, had a history of allergy to the treatment components, or had received SIJ injections within the last three months. Pain intensity, functional disability, and quality of life were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and a standardized quality of life questionnaire, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with within-group comparisons made using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test and between-group comparisons using the Mann-Whitney U Test.


Results: Significant improvements were observed in both groups. The VAS scores in the dextrose water group decreased from 5.28 ± 1.71 to 2.58 ± 0.94 (p < 0.001) and in the corticosteroid group from 5.57 ± 1.85 to 3.15 ± 1.33 (p < 0.001). ODI scores improved from 34.27 ± 1.26 to 17.02 ± 3.15 in the dextrose water group (p < 0.001) and from 34.17 ± 1.12 to 19.95 ± 6.11 in the corticosteroid group (p < 0.001). Quality of life scores also showed significant enhancement, improving from 14.43 ± 1.79 to 7.64 ± 0.99 in the dextrose water group (p < 0.001) and from 14.57 ± 1.85 to 8.49 ± 1.98 in the corticosteroid group (p < 0.001).


Conclusion: Both 5% dextrose water and corticosteroid injections significantly reduced pain and improved function and quality of life in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. While corticosteroid injections demonstrated a slightly greater benefit, 5% dextrose water injections are a promising alternative with fewer potential side effects. Further research is recommended to explore long-term outcomes and compare these treatments with other emerging therapies.

Article Details

How to Cite
Baig, M. I., DrWaqas Ashraf Chaudhary, Hamza Shahzad, Muhammad Fakhar Ikram Kalair, Sadia Ghafoor, Hanan Azfar, Tamjeed Ghaffar, & Imtiaz, R. (2024). Effectiveness of 5% Dextrose Water (D/W) versus Corticosteroid Injection for Pain Management of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(2), 1095–1099. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.936
Section
Articles
Author Biographies

Muhammad Imran Baig, Superior University Pakistan.

MS- Physical Rehabilitation And Pain Management, Superior University, Pakistan.

DrWaqas Ashraf Chaudhary, Superior University Lahore- Pakistan.

Assistant Professor, Faculty Of Allied Health Sciences, Superior University Lahore, Pakistan.

Hamza Shahzad, Superior University Pakistan.

MS- Physical Rehabilitation And Pain Management, Superior University, Pakistan.

Muhammad Fakhar Ikram Kalair, The University of Lahore-Lahore Pakistan.

UIPT, The University Of Lahore, Pakistan.

Sadia Ghafoor, The University of Lahore-Lahore Pakistan.

The University of Lahore-Lahore Pakistan.

Hanan Azfar, Medline Healthcare Gujranwala- Pakistan.

Consultant Physiotherapist, Medline Healthcare Gujranwala, Pakistan.

Tamjeed Ghaffar, Government College University Faisalabad Pakistan.

Lecturer, College Of Physical Therapy, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Rafia Imtiaz, Government College University Faisalabad Pakistan.

Lecturer, College Of Physical Therapy, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan.

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