Background: Prolotherapy is a newly emerging field in Turkey and the aim of this study was survey physicians involved in prolotherapy concerning their practices, experiences and observations concerning adverse effects during prolotherapy administration in Turkey. Material Methods: The study was cross-sectional and observational in nature. A purposeful sample of physicians (n=14), who practiced prolotherapy wer invited to participate in this study. A questionnaire consisting of items on socio-demographics, training, and practice of prolotherapy was applied to these volunteering practitioners, who gave verbal consent before participating. Data of this study has been analyzed with descriptive analysis.
Results: The participants mainly men (85.7%). Their age were 38.8 and were trained in the Turkish Prolotherapy Clinic, Istanbul (50.0%). All participants (100%) mentioned, that prolotherapy is safe They were practicing prolotherapy since 3.6 years. Most participants (n=13; 92.9%) stated that they felt, that prolotherapy was safe for their patients. Problems like pain (100%), ecchymosis (64.3%), numbness (28.6%), and edema (14.3%) were the most common observed problems at the site of injection. Four (28.6%) participants observed at least one adverse incident after prolotheraphy injection. Two (14.3%) stated, that their patient was hospitalized due to this incident. Their reasons for hospitalistion was pneumothorax and anaphylactic shock (n=1; 7.1%). None (100%) were sued for malpractice due to this adverse effects.
Conclusion: The procedure-related risks should not be underestimated. Prolotherapy seems to be safe medical procedure in the extremities. Special caution should be given to areas like the thorax and spine. Prolotherapy performing physicians and practices should be prepared for anaphylaxia- or bleeding-related medical adverse conditions
Key words: Integrative medicine, complementary medicine, prolotherapy, injections, pain, Turkey
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