Efficacy of intra-articular Hylan G-F 20 on osteoarthritis of the knee

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of intra-articular Hylan G-F 20 treatment for pain and disability caused by primary knee osteoarthritis. A randomized, controlled trial was carried out. A total of 60 patients (120 knees) were included in the study. The patients were separated into two groups. Group I (n = 60 knees) followed daily physical therapy programs for a period of 15 days, and intra-articular Hylan G-F 20 was injected 3 times once a week. Group 2 (n = 60 knees) followed only daily physical therapy programs in the same period. Pain was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS). Pain, stiffness and functional capacity were measured by WOMAC osteoarthritis index at baseline, and after 3 and 12 weeks. After 3 and 12 weeks, a significant improvement of VAS, and WOMAC were observed in both groups. After the 12th week, improvement of VAS and WOMAC were significantly better in Group 1 than in Group 2. We conclude that at early stages of primary knee osteoarthritis, intra-articular Hylan G-F 20 treatment is effective for pain, disability and functional capacity and works better than physical therapy alone.