Cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid in Knee Osteoarthritis

Medipol Health Group

Status: Completed

Conditions: Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA)

Treatments: Drug: cross-linked hyaluronic acid; Drug: Straight-bonded hyaluronic acid

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07241442

E-10840098-202.3.02-5817

Details and patient eligibility

About

Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA) leads to pain and loss of function, especially in recreational athletes. While hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are a common part of conservative treatment, comparative data on the efficacy of straight-chain (ST-HA) versus cross-linked (CL-HA) formulations remain limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the 6-month efficacy of a single dose of CL-HA versus two doses of ST-HA regarding pain, stiffness, and joint function in recreational athletes aged 50-70 with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2-3 Knee OA refractory to pharmacological treatment.

Full description

This retrospective observational study included 88 recreational athletes (CL-HA: n=44, ST-HA: n=44). All participants received either a single dose of CL-HA or two doses of ST-HA administered 4 weeks apart. Patients were comparatively evaluated pre-treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment using the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) and VAS scores.

Enrollment: 88 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50 to 70 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria: Recreational athletes aged 50-70 years; participants must not have received any injections or undergone physical therapy or rehabilitation in the last 3 months; and symptomatic cases of Kellgren-Lawrence stage 2-3 knee osteoarthritis and failure of pharmacological treatment.

Exclusion Criteria: Inflammatory disease, active rheumatic disease, malignancy, bleeding diathesis, peripheral neuropathy, BMI >30, grade 4 gonarthrosis, regular NSAID use, previous knee surgery, local infection at the procedure site, corticosteroid injection at the procedure site within the last 3 months, systemic corticosteroid use within the last 2 weeks, immunosuppressant use or immunodeficiency within the last 6 weeks, and any local or systemic osteoarthritis-related treatments (therapeutic exercises, physical therapy, other injections, NSAIDs, etc.) within the last 6 months.