The efficacy of low- and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid applications
Abstract
Methods: The study included 45 patients (19 men, 26 women; mean age 53 years; range 41 to 66 years) with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2-3 osteoarthritis of the knee. Following AD, the patients were randomized to three groups to receive three intra-articular injections of 2 ml hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc, n=16), five intra-articular injections of 2 ml sodium hyaluronate (Hyalgan, n=14), and no injections (controls, n=15). Injections were administered at oneweek intervals. All the patients were evaluated with pain, stiffness, and functional capacity scores of the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) osteoarthritis index before and 6 and 12 months after AD.
Results: Two patients and three patients complained of transient pain in Synvisc and Hyalgan groups, respectively. WOMAC scores showed significant decreases in all the groups at 6 and 12 months. There were no significant differences between the three groups with respect to improvement in WOMAC scores at 6 months. However, compared to the control group, differences between pre- and posttreatment scores at 12 months were significantly greater in the Synvisc (p=0.004) and Hyalgan (p=0.003) groups, with no significant difference between the two HA groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings show that AD is beneficial in osteoarthritis of the knee in patients with appropriate indications, viscosupplementation increases the efficacy of treatment, and that low- and high-molecular-weight HA preparations have similar efficacy.
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Tolga Atay
This is me
Ahmet Aslan
This is me
Metin Baydar
This is me
Berit Ceylan
This is me
Barbaros Baykal
This is me
Vecihi Kırdemir
This is me
Publication Date
December 18, 2008
Submission Date
May 10, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2008 Volume: 42 Number: 4