Functional outcome in knee osteoarthritis after treatment with hylan G-F 20: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess functional change in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) after treatment with intra-articular hyaluronic acid (Hylan G-F 20; Synvisc).


METHODS
Prospective case series with 6-month follow-up.


METHODS
Outpatient community orthopedic practice.


METHODS
Eighty-four consecutive patients referred to private orthopedic group with symptoms and radiographic evidence of unilateral or bilateral knee OA who had either failed or could not tolerate the side effects of conservative treatment. Sixty-one patients completed the study. Nineteen patients were lost to follow-up. Four patients withdrew from study due to subsequent knee arthroplasty.


METHODS
Three weekly injections of Hylan G-F 20 into one or both (if bilaterally symptomatic) knees (110 knees total).


METHODS
SF-36 Health Survey was completed before treatment and 6 months after treatment.


RESULTS
Statistically significant improvement (p < .001) in Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, Social Functioning, and Role-Emotional categories on 6-month follow-up survey. Age and percent above ideal body weight were not significant predictors of functional change.


CONCLUSIONS
Efficacy of intra-articular injection of Hylan G-F 20 for knee OA 6 months after injection is demonstrated in several categories of the SF-36, indicating a measurable improvement in overall functioning in these patients.
Goorman
S D
SD
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH, USA.
Watanabe
T K
TK
Miller
E H
EH
Perry
C
C
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid