Compare the efficacy of intra-articular injections of an ultra-high molecular weight viscosupplement with a medium molecular weight hyaluronan in hip OA

Efficacy of a single intra-articular injection of ultra-high molecular weight hyaluronic acid for hip osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled study.

Article specifications

This clinical study was published in 2018 in Journal of Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. (IF 2015:1.05) by Italian specialists. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intra-articular injections of an ultra-high molecular weight viscosupplement (UHMW-HA, Fermathron S) with a medium molecular weight hyaluronan (MMW-HA, Hyalubrix 60) in hip OA. Fifty-four patients with hip OA grade 3 on the Kellgren/Lawrence scale were randomized. Fifty patients, including 27 in the MMW-HA group and 23 in the UHMW-HA group, completed the follow-up.

 

Result

No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of VAS, WOMAC or Lequesne index preoperatively or at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after viscosupplementation. UHMW-HA is a safe and effective treatment for hip osteoarthritis. A single dose of UHMW-HA was as effective as two doses of MMW-HA resulting in similar reductions of pain and disability.