systematic review on Role of Intra-Articular injection of hyaluronic acid in treatment of knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

HA is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan consisting of repeating disaccharide units of N-acetyl-glucosamine and glucoronic acid.6 HA is a main component of synovial fluid and one of the components of cartilage matrix. Osteoarthritis is a progressive, chronic and degenerative joint disease characterized by a loss of articular cartilage. Treatment of OA is largely palliative based on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids and injections of steroids. Regarding conservative treatment, intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid play a role in early symptomatic knee OA. There is significant improvements in VAS scores. All the VAS scores improved approximately 27% from baseline. Quality of life has been shown to improve by 6 months after administration of low and high molecular- weight HA products. There are also significant improvements in functional pain severity and prevalence during the stair climb, chair rise, and the 6-minute walk by month 6. No significant adverse events were noted during the study confirming the lack of toxicity of the treatment. Numerous previous studies have also demonstrated the good acceptability of such