Prolotherapy Review Ross Hauser, MD – Big Toe and Bunion Pain

Dextrose Prolotherapy with Human Growth Hormone to Treat Chronic First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Pain

Hauser R, Feister W. Dextrose prolotherapy with human growth hormone to treat chronic first metatarsophalangeal joint pain. The Foot and Ankle Online Journal. 5(9):1.doi: 10.3827/faoj.2012.0509.0001

Introduction

The metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), formed by the metatarsal and phalangeal bones of the toes, is the location of common foot pathologies. The two most prevalent sources of pain in the MTP joint are the conditions of hallux valgus, a precursor to bunions, and hallux rigidus, stiffness in the big toe.

A well-researched etiology (cause) for these conditions is ligament laxity. In this study, twelve patients were treated with a series of Dextrose Prolotherapy injections to stimulate the regeneration of tendons and ligaments and to promote the repair of articular cartilage. Upon completion of three-to-six therapy sessions, eleven of twelve patients had a favorable outcome—the relief of symptoms—with an average of four treatments. Based on such positive, verifiable results, Hackett-Hemwall Dextrose Prolotherapy can be viewed as a promising alternative to steroid injection, surgical repositioning (e.g., chevron osteotomy), or joint replacement.

Chronic foot pain has reached epidemic proportions in the United States with over 40 million people reporting problems in their feet.[1] A typical cause of foot pain is deformity in the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, commonly called a bunion. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports, “more than half of the women in America have bunions, a common deformity…” and “nine out of ten bunions happen to women.” According to the AAOS, bunions are one of the most widespread, chronic foot complaints addressed by foot and ankle specialists.

Surgical reconstruction of this joint, therefore, is one of the most prevalent joint surgeries performed on the foot.[2] The two most prevalent causes of pain in the MTP joint are the conditions of hallux valgus and hallux rigidus, with hallux valgus being more and hallux rigidus less frequent.[3, 4] Hallux valgus, specifically, is a deformity that occurs when the big toe angles toward the other toes

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