Gait patterns after intraarticular treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee--hyaluronan versus triamcinolone: a prospective, randomized, doubleblind, monocentric study.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of gait performance and muscle activity patterns as well as clinical efficacy and safety after single intraarticular injection with hyaluronan compared with triamcinolone in patients with knee osteoarthritis.


METHODS
This trial evaluated the influence of a single injection of hyaluronan or triamcinolone on gait pattern and muscle activity. For clinical evaluation a visual analogue scale for pain, Lequesne index, and Knee Society Score were used. Quality of life was assessed with the SF-36.


RESULTS
The complete analysis was performed in 50 of 60 patients. 26 patients were treated with triamcinolone and 24 with hyaluronan. Hyaluronan treatment led to significant improvement of range of motion at hip and knee. Significant improvement could be either demonstrated for the pain scale, Lequesne and Knee Society score in both groups. Quality of life showed greater improvement in the triamcinolone group.


CONCLUSIONS
Single application of high-viscosity hyaluronan shows superior range of motion and pain reduction as well as improvement in clinical results. Even if there was a lack of significant differences compared to triamcinolone, this therapy classified as safe and effective in the short follow up.
Skwara
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A
Department of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, University Hospital Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany. skwara@med.uni-marburg.de
Ponelis
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R
Tibesku
C O
CO
Rosenbaum
D
D
Fuchs-Winkelmann
S
S
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014221:Triamcinolone; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid