Prolotherapy as a treatment choice for ATFL injuries in elite athletes: A case series

D. Maor, J. Lee, A. Dunn, A. Williams, J. Calder1

Introduction: Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) complex injuries in professional football and rugby players are common and can cause significant time off sport at elite level competition. Prolotherapy is effective in treating refractory tendinopathies, but inadequate clinical evidence exists to recommend its use as a treatment for acute ankle sprains. Importantly there is no literature about its use in elite athletes and ankle injuries.

Methods: Our series documents grade 2 or 3 ATFL tears in 10 professional elite level athletes who where injected with a solution of P2G (dextrose, glycerol and 1% phenol mixed with local anaesthetic) under ultrasound guidance and using aseptic technique weekly either twice or three times dependant on their symptoms and recovery.

Results: All athletes in combination with prolotherapy and physiotherapy returned to elite level sport without any complications and with only one reinjury.

Conclusions: These results show that in this elite athlete population prolotherapy can be safe and effective tool to treat ATFL injuries.