title: A prospective randomised trial comparing intra-articular Hyalgan injection and arthroscopic washout for knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: Thirty-eight patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis without mechanical symptoms were randomised after informed consent to receive either a course of intra-articular Hyalgan injections or an arthroscopic washout. The patients were prospectively assessed pre-intervention, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year using a 10 cm visual analogue pain score, the Knee Society function score and the Lequesne index. There was no significant difference between the two groups at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months or 1 year. The use of intra-articular Hyalgan injections in patients with knee osteoarthritis without mechanical symptoms gives results comparable with arthroscopic washout. Hyalgan is an alternative to arthroscopy in this patient group. Further study is needed to confirm these findings and improve patient selection.
authors.affiliation: Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, London Road, Derby, UK. mcforster@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Straw
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D003646:Debridement; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid