What is Prolozone M therapy for knee arthritis?

In this study it was a knee joint injection combining hypertonic dextrose, ozone and magnesium, given three times, three weeks apart, to people with moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis.

Does it work better than a cortisone shot?

In this 180-patient trial, the combined injection improved WOMAC pain scores more than corticosteroid injections at 24 weeks. It was a single-center study, so the result needs confirming in larger trials.

Can these injections rebuild knee cartilage?

Not proven. X-rays in the combined-injection group improved compared with baseline at 24 weeks, which the authors describe as an early sign of cartilage protection, but this was not compared with the other groups in the abstract.

Research Summary

Dextrose, Ozone and Magnesium Knee Injections Beat Steroid Shots for Arthritis Pain at 6 Months in a 180-Patient Trial

By KneePainNews Editorial Team · October 27, 2026 · Editorial Standards

Not medical advice. This is a plain-English summary for general information. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist before changing your care. Read our medical disclaimer.

People with moderate-to-severe knee arthritis who received three injections of a dextrose, ozone and magnesium mix had more pain relief at six months than those who got steroid injections. That is the result of a randomized trial published in Pain Physician.

What was studied

Many people with advanced knee osteoarthritis cannot have, or do not want, knee replacement surgery, so non-surgical options matter. Steroid (corticosteroid) shots are common but their relief tends to fade. This study tested an injection combining hypertonic dextrose (a concentrated sugar solution used in prolotherapy), ozone and magnesium, which the researchers call Prolozone M therapy.

In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at a pain clinic in India, 180 patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 or 4 knee osteoarthritis were assigned to the combined injection, a corticosteroid injection, or a saline (placebo) injection. Each patient received three injections, one every three weeks, and was followed for 24 weeks. The main outcome was the change in WOMAC pain score.

Key findings

At 24 weeks, the combined injection improved WOMAC pain scores significantly more than corticosteroid (an average of 2.3 points more), a large effect size.
The authors reported the treatment was safe.
X-ray images in the combined-injection group showed improvement at 24 weeks compared with baseline, which the authors call an early sign of cartilage protection.

What it means for people with knee pain

This is an encouraging early result for an injection option that may give longer-lasting relief than steroid shots. It is not widely available or standard care, so ask your doctor or a pain specialist about the evidence before trying it.

Limitations

This was a single-center study with only 24 weeks of follow-up, as the authors note. The abstract does not report how the combined injection compared with the saline placebo, the detailed side effects, or how much the X-ray changes meant. The imaging improvement was compared with baseline rather than the other groups. Larger studies at multiple centers are needed.

Source: Niraj G, Charan N, Prabhu M, Bassett P. Prolozone M therapy's analgesic efficacy for managing moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Pain Physician, 2026 Sep;29(6):E635-E644. PMID 42804311. Read the original

Frequently asked questions

What is Prolozone M therapy for knee arthritis?: In this study it was a knee joint injection combining hypertonic dextrose, ozone and magnesium, given three times, three weeks apart, to people with moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis.
Does it work better than a cortisone shot?: In this 180-patient trial, the combined injection improved WOMAC pain scores more than corticosteroid injections at 24 weeks. It was a single-center study, so the result needs confirming in larger trials.
Can these injections rebuild knee cartilage?: Not proven. X-rays in the combined-injection group improved compared with baseline at 24 weeks, which the authors describe as an early sign of cartilage protection, but this was not compared with the other groups in the abstract.

Sudden severe pain, swelling, or can't bear weight? Seek medical care promptly. In an emergency call 911.