title: Gait analysis of knee arthritis treated with hyaluronic acid.
abstract: Self-reported studies have demonstrated efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) therapy. Gait analysis may objectively demonstrate changes associated with HA therapy. Fifty-three consecutive patients with unilateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were evaluated with a validated and sensitive gait laboratory previously used for gonarthrosis. Two 100-meter walks were performed before and after HA therapy. Nineteen parameters were measured. In addition, the subjective response to treatment was correlated with changes in gait parameters. Single-limb support time, velocity, fatigability, and swing phase were not improved. Only double-limb support time was found to be significantly different (P = .04). The remaining gait variables were not changed. Separately, the subset of patients that achieved greater than 70% subjective pain relief had no objective improvements in gait parameters. Hyaluronic acid therapy may result in a placebo effect for the treatment of gonarthrosis.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, New York Obesity Research Center, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Don Kevin
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.forename: Kuan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; 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* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055675:Viscosupplements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D055675:Viscosupplements; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid